Comments on: Middle, High School FCAT Scores Released

By: C

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:13:52 +0000

Well, now we can finally see that the ninth grade teacher undoubtably wasn’t doing her job in math. Students struggled all year and learned nothing. Now what do you do? Parents after parents went to the school and nothing was done because nothing could be done because she was a transferred teacher from Carver. Can we do something now?

By: Melanie Miller

Melanie Miller — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:29:45 +0000

I am a teacher and think your comments are appalling. It IS not easy teaching these days, but we do it because we care about children. The teachers at my school are VERY professional and spend their summers improving instruction for YOUR children. FCAT covers the Sunshine State Standards, which is what we are supposed to be teaching in that grade and what YOUR CHILDREN are supposed to be mastering. The FCAT is not a difficult test if the child understands what is required in that grade.
Teaching is MUCH more that receiving a degree. YOU obviously have no idea. We not only have to put up with criticism from YOU that have never been in the classroom for more than Open House of parties, we also have to try to overcome YOUR LOW Expectations for your children. WE Teachers are trying to improve Education and society. We are trying to prepare your children for a difficult job market . Your children are going to need to be specialized in the future. I DARE you to substitute for a week. AND that does not require the awesome responsiblity that teachers have to TEACH your children. One Bad teacher does not represent the majority!

By: windy

windy — Sat, 30 May 2009 18:34:12 +0000

Jay–I agree, there would be some kind of test…..I am sure the FCAT is hard. I have been on the FCAT explorer —what I saw was pretty tough…. not to mention all the stress that the teacher’s and school’s put on the student’s—–It is a big stress problem for our student’s…..they are unable to relax and actually enjoy school due to the stress of the FCAT

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:35:21 +0000

Everyone needs to quit belly aching over FCAT. If it weren’t for FCAT, there’d be some other test to measure student knowledge, and then you all would be complaining about that.

By: parent

parent — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:37:03 +0000

hello northview heres your sign ! When multiple kids say a math teacher” for 9th grade” has toled them it is not her job to each it to them she just needs to get through the book ! have you ever-Even kids who have always done well were having trouble even asking her to explain to them. And GOD forbid you have a child who struggles a little . But as I explained to my child no matter were you go you will always find one that wants the pay check but not the job.

By: Wondering

Wondering — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:12:51 +0000

It is not the students,although some don’t try, it is not the teacher, although some don’ teach, it is that stupid test, FCAT. It is all that students hear from the time they start school. You see students who are excellent but can’t master that test. If you have ever read any of the passages or stories and then tried to answer the questions, then you would understand. It is a terrible test. I am not making excuses for any student because many do not try but the truth is that there is more to education than one test. The teachers are under so much pressure to teach “the FCAT” that most subjects are skipped to teach only what is on the test. Teaching is an art, so just because you have a degree doesn’t make you a teacher. Mrs. Green is right that teachers may be good teachers without a teaching degree. Going to college doesn’t mean that you are smarter, you just went further.

By: The DOER

The DOER — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:01:59 +0000

Yes, I have passed my certification tests in two different states. They were not intimidating at all because I was tested in my field. Therein, lies the problem. You are wrong if you thing that a middle school integrated curriculum test qualifies someone to teach any field. Does passing that certification qualify you to teach science, English, math? I don’t think so. Let’s see. Last I looked, a regular 4-year degree with the core curriculum only requires two courses (that’s two courses, not two years) in science, two courses in math, two courses in English, two courses in history. Do you think two college courses in any of those fields qualifies a teacher to teach in that particular field? Absolutely not. Most states realize how important it is to require teachers to have pure degrees in whatever fields they teach. The certification test is just icing on the cake and something that that teacher should be able to breeze through because the test is in his/her field.

By: Patsy Green

Patsy Green — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:11:22 +0000

The middle grades integrated curriculum exam does not qualify anyone to teach reading. Anyone who passes the math portion (I have taken it) knows enough math to teach middle grades math curriculum. Also, teachers without an education degree have to attend further training and are closely supervised. Some of the best teachers I know came into teaching through that program.
I did not come into teaching through that program. I have a M.ED. in learning disabilities and did student teaching practicums in TMH, EMH, and SLD. That doesn’t mean someone who came into teaching through a different route can’t be a good teacher.
Usually a student’s FCAT score reflects his or her ability, classroom behavior and attentiveness, and motivation. The teachers are teaching. Some students aren’t listening.

By: C

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:16:05 +0000

To the Doer: Have you ever taken one of those certification test? It’s not as easy as you think.

By: concerned

concerned — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:04:16 +0000

THE DOER, I don’t see anything wrong with the middle school scores. From the looks of it, Ernest Ward must have very well qualified teachers in order for the grades to increase in areas especially in reading and math!