HomeInquiryFCAT is a Four-letter Word Annmarie July 9, 2014 3 Comments Dear Ed Inquiry, I am at my wits’ end! I just got my son’s 9th grade FCAT Reading Score, and he narrowly missed a level 3 to show proficiency. Here’s the issue: He only has room in his schedule for two electives and had chosen a new class, AVID, and weight training. I know that kids who do not score a 3 on FCAT are placed in Intensive Reading. Now, he wants to drop AVID so he has one class that is non-academic to give him a break every other day. But, the AVID elective is designed to help kids with critical reading skills and teach learning strategies. I feel that it will be just as helpful, if not more, than the Intensive Reading class. Are there any loopholes that can get him out of the intensive class? At this point, he is already developing a negative attitude about school next year, and I am cursing that test! He got “A’s” and “B’s” in his Honors English class all year. Why should one day and one test decide my child’s fate for an entire year? Any information you can provide is appreciated! Sincerely, FCAT is a Four-letter Word Dear FCAT is a Four-letter Word, FCAT (the state reading and math exam in FL) wreaks all sorts of havoc in households and schools across the Sunshine State. It is infuriating for parents, students and teachers to hear stories like yours, all based on one day, one test, especially when we know through formative assessments that lots of the students shoved into Intensive Reading classes against their wills actually do have the reading skills to be successful in classes as your son has proven with his grades. Unfortunately, it is actually a state law which mandates that students who don’t “pass” this test be placed in Intensive Reading classes. In addition, the amount of hours students must spend in intensive classes depends on the reading level they achieved on the exam. For example, a level 1 student must be placed in a two-hour remedial class while a level 2 must be placed in a one-hour remedial course. Our research turned up this awesome article that sheds more light on the subject and details the frustration of a students who could be your son’s academic twin: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/jan/27/consequences-of-fcat-are-lessons-learned-the-way/ Our best advice is to contact your school’s Assistant Principal of Curriculum (APC) to ask if the AVID elective can substitute for that Intensive Reading class. When you find out, please make sure to let us know! This could open some doors! Sincerely, Ed Inquiry 3 Responses Becky July 9, 2014 Is there a class your son can take through Florida Virtual School? That happened to my daughter in 8th grade. She dropped from a high 4 to a 2. She was already taking HOPE online, so she added Spanish online to leave room for her band class and engineering magnet class. The intensive reading did help, as she got a 4 again this year and is out of intensive reading. Reply Amferry July 9, 2014 That is something to consider. However, some kids already struggle to keep up with 8 classes, and this student takes honors level classes which up the homework time. Add a sport or extracurricular to that (which colleges like to see), and it becomes a real juggling act. Reply Suzan Harden July 9, 2014 Yes, you can request that your child not take Intensive Reading, and your school’s APC can help you. However, before you do that, look at the other grades. What were the grades in science and social studies? If they were also B’s and C’s, reading may be an issue. The truth is that earning C’s in core classes in 9th grade does not bode well for success in higher level classes later or on the college entrance tests. Ask the APC if the AVID class is equivalent to Intensive Reading . If not, choose the academic classes and be sure your child has an active after-school schedule to have the opportunity to let off steam. I am a HS counselor. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Name* Email* Website Comment Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Becky July 9, 2014 Is there a class your son can take through Florida Virtual School? That happened to my daughter in 8th grade. She dropped from a high 4 to a 2. She was already taking HOPE online, so she added Spanish online to leave room for her band class and engineering magnet class. The intensive reading did help, as she got a 4 again this year and is out of intensive reading. Reply
Amferry July 9, 2014 That is something to consider. However, some kids already struggle to keep up with 8 classes, and this student takes honors level classes which up the homework time. Add a sport or extracurricular to that (which colleges like to see), and it becomes a real juggling act. Reply
Suzan Harden July 9, 2014 Yes, you can request that your child not take Intensive Reading, and your school’s APC can help you. However, before you do that, look at the other grades. What were the grades in science and social studies? If they were also B’s and C’s, reading may be an issue. The truth is that earning C’s in core classes in 9th grade does not bode well for success in higher level classes later or on the college entrance tests. Ask the APC if the AVID class is equivalent to Intensive Reading . If not, choose the academic classes and be sure your child has an active after-school schedule to have the opportunity to let off steam. I am a HS counselor. Reply
