The very best teachers, according to FCAT

Trying to figure out which teachers are the best is no doubt tricky. But if FCAT scores are the lone measure, then one of former Gov. Jeb Bush's foundations has the answer.

Eight Tampa Bay area teachers are on the list, and they'll be among 86 statewide recognized by the Foundation for Excellence in Education on Oct. 24. Each will get $1,000, along with paid passage for two on the cruise of the teacher's choice from Royal Caribbean.

At the foundation's request, the Florida Department of Education grouped teachers according to which FCAT subject they taught – math and/or reading - and then analyzed their students' FCAT scores.

Now the caveats.

The analysis did not include teachers in grades K, 1, 2, 11 or 12, because the FCAT is not given in those grades. It did not include teachers in third grade, because fourth grade is the first year in which growth can be measured. And it did not include the FCATs in writing and science, because those tests are not given to consecutive grades.

The students were grouped into five categories – below grade level, high achieving, learning English, developmentally disabled and overall. And the winners are:

• Ginande Jester, Calvin A. Hunsinger School, Pinellas (among the top teachers for below grade level and disabled students, and students overall)
• Claudine Kwiatkowski, Perkins Elementary, Pinellas (for disabled students)
• Lee Gore, Highlands Lake Elementary, Pinellas (below grade level)
• Joyce Svabek, East Lake High, Pinellas (high achievers)
• Colleen Howard-Wahls, Northwest Elementary, Pinellas (disabled)
• Irene Canton, Armwood High, Hillsborough (below grade level)
• Kelly Rayburn, Plant High, Hillsborough (high achievers)
• Karen Ramlackhan, Clark Elementary, Hillsborough (disabled)

Ron Matus, State Education Reporter

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Comments

how are 5 out of 7 teacher from Pinellas when Hillsborough leads in overall scores?

Other than being happy about the cruise, how do the teachers feel about it? Do they believe the foundation's message?

did they have to be registered Republicans to be included?

[Brandon]

I guess those poor teachers in grades K, 1, 2, 11 and 12 are just out of luck, eh? I appreciate the desire to recognize and reward teachers, but leaving so many teachers out in the cold is ... cold.

So the "very best" middle school or high school teachers couldn't be history teachers, or science teachers, or music teachers, or world (foreign) language teachers, or PE teachers, or math teachers who teach advanced classes like AP calculus and statistics?

"At the foundation's request, the Florida Department of Education grouped teachers according to which FCAT subject they taught – math and/or reading - and then analyzed their students' FCAT scores." Wait a second. I thought the Florida DoE was paid for by the taxpayers of the state and worked for the state. So why are they compiling and analyzing data for "one of former Gov. Jeb Bush's foundations"? Did the Foundation for Excellence in Education reimburse the DoE for the manhours spent on their request?

I have to say that there are a lot more than just 86 really great teachers in Florida. But, for these 86, I suppose that $1000 and a cruise will have to substitute for a base pay increase from the state because it will be another two years before they get one. Can they refund the cruise ticket to buy gas or groceries? I think it is much too little for far too few, and we are moving backwards while pretending otherwise.

So much for the rest of us... 3rd graders do not pass without a lot of hard work from K through 3 and none of us are worth having? I would love to see a successful 4th grader with no previous support. Thanks Jeb - screwed again.

Again, trying to divide teachers. special education teachers who teach special diploma are always left out. this is so unfair!

Does Jeb have separation problems? I personally have no trouble wishing him to keep his political desires out of Florida education. Get a hobby, Jeb.
Your term emded a long time ago.

As I see it, this just shows the teachers who are the best at "teaching to the test." What on earth does this have to do with being a good teacher?

[outraged at FCAT]

4:46, this is Jeb's master plan... division of teachers and the destruction of public education in Florida. These are all ploys to promote his voucher plan under the radar.

outraged at FCAT,
If only the public understood the power of your words. I guess they will get it when they have to pay for their child's education!

[D]

As unfair as this process is, I'm happy for my fellow educators. They deserve to reap the rewards of their labors. I wish so many more of us could have been recognized also, but know that our profession is well represented by these few who did receive something. Ideally and naively it would been something else to see these chosen educators as a whole group refuse the money and cruise. How powerful would that have been!

Very best teachers according to the FCAT? Isn't that an oxymoron?