Feedback Loop: Parents Say Their Kids Are Fed Up With FCAT

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Parents and students protest outside then-Gov. Jeb Bush's Miami office in this 2003 photo.

As parents of 3rd graders grapple with the release of FCAT reading results — an additional 4,000 students are at risk of being held back — parents of students in other grades know how will it affect their kids.

Many, such as Maldebot, wrote to say their children were discouraged.

What can I do ? My daughter is very upset and feels like dropping out of 10th grade beause she was short 3 points in the Reading exam in FCAT..Help ! This takes the motivation out of kids

Gintonic shared a similar experience:

The FCAT has been the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen.  My 11th grader missed passing by 1 point.  He has not passed a FCAT reading test since we came here when he was in the 3rd grade.  He has taken two “reading” classes ever since to no avail.  Cause they are a waste of time and the kids are stifled from learning. Where do we go to complain?  He wants to leave the state so he will be able to graduate from high school.

KNC1014 read our post on the debate about the use of in school and out of school suspensions and had a few thoughts:

I think that in school suspension is a good idea.  Its true that the majority of the kids that get out of school suspension are out roaming around during the school day doing what they want while their parents are at work.  As for the in school suspension, I don’t think that the child attending the in school suspension should be counted absent and maybe as a provision to just having to sit in this room they should be made to visit each of their teachers each morning to get class work so they are not just sitting around doodling.

Thanks for reading, keep the opinions coming.

Reader reaction is an important part of building StateImpact Florida’s education coverage. Feedback Loop will be a regular feature highlighting your questions, criticisms and comments.