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State Sends Students Mixed Messages

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2008

As my daughter's third-grade career continues, I can't help but find myself rather awestruck at how the state of Florida handles education. Everywhere we turn, it seems mixed messages are being sent to our youngest learners.

Take, for example, the report cards that recently came out. Pasco County doesn't seem to issue F grades to its younger students. While it's quite possible and even likely that some students have earned this old fashion, lowest of the low grades, we no longer dole them out because they could harm a child's chances for future success.

Fear of hurting little egos is not limited to Pasco County. Collier County has decided that it will no longer give its elementary students grades lower than 50 percent. The idea is that a zero score might damage young learners beyond repair.

While this is all well and good (if you think teaching kids we live in a shiny, happy world is well and good), what happens when it's time for the state-mandated Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test? The infamous FCAT not only has a failing grade attached to it, it is a tool that can undo an entire year's worth of learning with a single stroke. If a child tanks on the reading or math portion of the test (or both), he or she is doomed to repeat the grade they are in with only few exceptions to the rule.

Now, wouldn't you think this would damage a little ego worse than a single F grade or a zero on a quiz? What about those kids who might not feel well on the day of the test? How about those with severe test anxiety? Is it fair to "fail" them - even if they have good grades throughout a year - and force them to remediate when they don't really need to? Evidently, our contradictory state educational officials seem to think so. They also seem to think it's a great idea to shield them from the little disappointments, but hit them right in the stomachs with the big ones.

The pressure attached to the FCAT is unbelievably high. I had heard this before from other parents, but didn't really understand it until I could see it in my own child's face. In November, she's already worrying what would happen if she failed a part when she takes the test this spring.

Now, don't get me wrong: A little test anxiety is a good thing. I'm all for studying hard, learning and earning excellent grades. This has always been a priority of mine and one I am trying to pass on to my own daughters. A little anxiety in regard to school and performance is healthy - outright fear, however, just can't be good.

As the state continues to cut funding of FCAT-related programs to save itself some bucks in light of the budget cuts, I think it's time to do a little soul searching on just what our educational priorities are in the state of Florida. Do we want to contradict ourselves at every corner, teach to a test and continue to rank low nationally for our public school systems' achievements? Or, do we want to make sure the basics are more than covered and actually take the time to prepare our children for life's ups, downs, victories and defeats? I choose the latter.

While I know undoing what has been done will take legislation on the state and national levels, it is achievable. There has to be a better way to make certain our schools perform. What we're doing now just doesn't seem to be working. Even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gives Florida an overall D grade for its public educational system. (This organization, by the way, isn't afraid to hand out F's. California, Alabama and a few other states earned this grade.)

Florida is blessed with some incredible educators, many right here in Pasco County, who have the ability to inspire and the talent to teach. Sadly, we've allowed their hands to be tied and their time to be monopolized with an 800-pound-gorilla of a test and touchy, feely mandates. It's time to lift the weights and let them do their jobs the way they know how. Our children would likely be the better for it.

Sherri Lonon is the editor of In The Loop

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