education

Opinion April 26, 2011

New teacher pay law stifles student learning

Class is about to begin. Today’s lesson starts with a simple question: How effective are state tests at determining student performances?

Ah, good. You realize this is a loaded question. After all, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is one of the most controversial standardized tests in the Sunshine State’s public schools. Since its passage in 1996, the FCAT has garnered praise from lawmakers and harsh criticism from teachers and their advocates.

Features, News October 29, 2010

Stats show St. Johns takes the lead in education

By Caroline Young | cyoung1@flagler.edu

St. John’s County superintendent Joseph Joyner said it is near impossible to compare the U.S.’s educational success with the rest of the world.

The Globe

“We have different tests and assessments than other countries,” he said.

News March 17, 2010

Local schools find good and bad in FCATs

By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu

Ketterlinus Elementary School first-grade teacher Pam Hubler thinks the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is outdated and unfair.
“Some kids are horrible test-takers,” she said. “They [the Florida Department of Education] base too much on the [FCAT] test.”

The Florida DOE rates schools and county school systems on a letter grade system ranging from A, the highest scores, to F, a school or system that needs significant improvement. Each school is also broken down into subgroups by race, income and students who speak English as a second language.

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