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Let Kids Be Kids, Even During FCAT
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Published: March 14, 2008
Over the years we've heard many crazy stories about kids being so stressed out over the FCAT that they've thrown up, curled into a fetal position or dissolved into hysterics. But the story this week from Pembroke Pines takes the cake - or rather the highly caffeinated energy drink.
Four eighth-grade boys were rushed to the hospital Wednesday after they drank too many Redline Energy Drinks to help them be more alert for the FCAT. The boys suffered racing heart beats, light-headedness and were sweating profusely.
One has to wonder just what kind of message these kids were getting at their school. Their teachers and the principal at Falcon Cove Middle School better be doing some soul-searching.
The FCAT is a high-stakes test - but the pressure should to be on the adults in the school system. If students haven't been prepared for their tests, no last minute hysterics or stress is going to help their scores.
In some local schools, teachers and principals unfairly start pounding kids with FCAT anticipation years before they actually take their first test.
To their credit, other Hillsborough schools have tried to make FCAT preparation fun with pep rallies, motivational speakers and games. Our favorite was Tinker Elementary which gave students a bottle of bubbles to "blow the FCAT away." Now that's an age-appropriate, stress-reducing approach.
A lot rides on the FCAT, but our schools should be mindful that no grade or bonus is worth pushing a child over the brink.
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