Comments on: Middle School FCAT Begins This Week (With Schedule, Rules) http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:21:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: fcat hating http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules/comment-page-1#comment-199291 fcat hating Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:58:12 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=134871#comment-199291 Let's hope this year's go around with FCAT goes a little better than last year! As you can see from the pdf some grades have computer based testing. Last year at my son's middle school the "computers" they were tested on were outdated 6" green screens and if it is not difficult enough read the test the computer system went down in the middle of testing for more than an hour. When I spoke with the guidance counselor over the summer she said she believed the interruptions and equipment would surely have an effect on the outcome of the scores. She proceeded to tell me "If she were a parent she would be very upset" and then quickly followed it up with "but no one will care" UGH Take it away! Let’s hope this year’s go around with FCAT goes a little better than last year! As you can see from the pdf some grades have computer based testing. Last year at my son’s middle school the “computers” they were tested on were outdated 6″ green screens and if it is not difficult enough read the test the computer system went down in the middle of testing for more than an hour. When I spoke with the guidance counselor over the summer she said she believed the interruptions and equipment would surely have an effect on the outcome of the scores. She proceeded to tell me “If she were a parent she would be very upset” and then quickly followed it up with “but no one will care” UGH Take it away!

]]> By: No Excuses http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules/comment-page-1#comment-199151 No Excuses Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:14:11 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=134871#comment-199151 @Swamp Willow: Presenting the test in the most similar circumstances possible is one of the goals behind any standardized test. If one group has, for example, access to a multiplication table, and another does not, then the point behind a standarized test has been defeated since one group has been "helped" over the other. My GED students don't get any help other than what they are allowed by the test. It is common practice to remove, or cover, any aides that might give an unfair advantage to some students over others. @Swamp Willow:

Presenting the test in the most similar circumstances possible is one of the goals behind any standardized test. If one group has, for example, access to a multiplication table, and another does not, then the point behind a standarized test has been defeated since one group has been “helped” over the other. My GED students don’t get any help other than what they are allowed by the test. It is common practice to remove, or cover, any aides that might give an unfair advantage to some students over others.

]]> By: Schedule http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules/comment-page-1#comment-199103 Schedule Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:47:51 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=134871#comment-199103 William, can we get the elementary schedule also? Thanks' William, can we get the elementary schedule also? Thanks’

]]> By: Me http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules/comment-page-1#comment-199101 Me Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:44:37 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=134871#comment-199101 FCAT starts in the 3rd grade. With "hints", there won't be fair scores. If they don't know their alphabet by the 3rd grade, we've got bigger problems to worry about. FCAT starts in the 3rd grade. With “hints”, there won’t be fair scores. If they don’t know their alphabet by the 3rd grade, we’ve got bigger problems to worry about.

]]> By: Swamp Willow http://www.northescambia.com/2013/04/middle-school-fcat-begins-this-week-with-schedule-rules/comment-page-1#comment-199049 Swamp Willow Mon, 15 Apr 2013 01:08:59 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=134871#comment-199049 Did you know that all posters and charts and other information the teacher has on the classroom walls have to be covered up during the FCAT? Even the alphabet strip has to be covered. God forbid that the kids have any little hint to help them during this stressful time!!!!! Did you know that all posters and charts and other information the teacher has on the classroom walls have to be covered up during the FCAT? Even the alphabet strip has to be covered. God forbid that the kids have any little hint to help them during this stressful time!!!!!

]]>