When FCAT and holidays collide

Broward School Board members are making a lot of noise about the FCAT schedule for 2011.

First, they were upset that the Florida Department of Education planned to give the annual test the same week as Passover and Easter. So the DOE changed the dates.

Now the Broward board is complaining that the new schedule interferes with the district's spring break plans, the Miami Herald reports. Break would come before the FCAT and, board member Robin Bartleman says, "After spring break, historically, everyone turns off."

So the board will ask the state for permission to return its FCAT materials late so it can have vacation when it wants. Meanwhile, state Rep. Marty Kiar, a Broward Democrat, has filed legislation to give schools wiggle room in administering the FCAT if it falls on a holiday.

Two thoughts. First, why is it that so many people believe that students lose all their ability to think during a vacation? And why is it that the state seems so oblivious to the fact that many people do have religious convictions?

Just something to ponder on a day when most schools are closed.

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Comments

[JohnM]

We don't call it FloriDUH for nuthin!

[FloridaTeacher]

We are training an entire generation of students to perform like Pavlov's dogs- if they "smell the test" they perform; where no testable need exists (after FCAT), they don't perform.

Just one of the unintended consequences of teaching to the test.

Wonderful!

[BOHICA]

Their break is a month before the FCAT. It's not like the kids have a week off and then go straight into testing.
But let's buy that argument that breaks shouldn't happen before significant tests like the FCAT. So their board wants to move the break until April 25-29. I guess they don't care/realize that this is right before the AP/IB exams which start in early May. Their concern is getting the FCAT exams back to the state for grading; they want dispensation to return the exams late. I guess their administrators can't pack up exams over the break (gee, no students or other distractions) and take their time off later.

[flateacher]

"First, why is it that so many people believe that students lose all their ability to think during a vacation?"

Because, according to years of teacher observation data, they do. Give a fluency test before a break and one after. There will be losses, guaranteed. That's why our school requires HW over breaks. I've found it works quite well.

P.S. While children are young, they aren't dumb. They know everything taught after FCAT is not as important (according to the state, at least).