It's all FCAT, all the time
So it’s finally happened. This year, my daughter has teachers who have thrown out all pretense of teaching anything other than FCAT.
Last night at her school’s open house, I sat, stunned, as her English teacher explained that there would be no curriculum other than FCAT practice until after the writing test in February. This is for a class of the most advanced students in the school. “I don’t teach any literature at all until after that time,” the English teacher said. “I’m sure you all understand.”
I don’t understand. Not at all. I’m speechless.
The principal pops her head in the classroom to cheerily tell us parents that this teacher was responsible for ten children scoring the top score of 6 on the FCAT writing exam last year. She’s just great, the principal says. The best in the school!
You know what? I don’t care what my kid gets on that test. I’d prefer that she enjoy expressing herself writing. I’d like for her to be challenged to think creatively. I wish her teachers might at least try not to suck the last bit of pleasure she takes in learning right out of her.
But I sit glumly as this FCAT teacher tells us that children who tested high enough on the test last year to be exempt from a separate reading class would receive extra drills for the FCAT reading test in March, because they don't have reading class.
The social studies teacher, who ostensibly is teaching U.S. history this year, told us that he would be teaching FCAT vocabulary and writing. And careers, so that the children can be prepared to choose their high school majors. And he'll use FCAT science and FCAT math computer programs in his class. Oh, and the children will be given instruction through FCAT Explorer.
Uh? Would there be any teaching of history in history class? Well, he said, the children would learn about the Constitution. Because some of that vocabulary is on the FCAT.
Thank goodness my daughter's geometry teacher really does teach geometry, except for the daily FCAT warm-up that's at a level of math this class mastered two years ago. The science teacher also hasn't completely given up on teaching. She had the kids use the scientific method to test claims in magazine ads – a fun and creative class project. But the science homework comes from a fat green FCAT prep book.
I am nauseated. No wonder my child dreads going to school every day and already is counting the days left in the school year. I guess it was inevitable. How long could the focus on FCAT go on before there wasn’t anything but FCAT left?
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.