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The story in the News, “Schools to get upperclassmen out of the way during FCAT” (March 8) shows how “educators” (read: not teachers) obsess about “the test” — to the point where normal education is interrupted. Why should upperclassmen attend high school on FCAT days? How about teaching subjects instead of herding students into the gym and showing a movie?

It’s incredible the “educators” don’t appreciate the irony in not educating the upperclassmen on FCAT days.

The FCAT test is based on the Sunshine State standards which teachers are instructed to follow. It is the duty of administrators to verify teachers follow those standards. If the standards were taught properly, there would be no need to cram or “teach to the test.”

I remember my children taking the California Achievement Test at Stuart Middle School. Teachers didn’t “cram” for that exam. We need to test long-term retention, not short-term cramming.

Years ago at Martin County High School the students taking the High School Competency Exam (a graduation requirement then) took it en mass in the gymnasium. MCHS didn’t grind to a halt for the test. If a student failed the HSCT, he or she was tutored before retaking it. But the rest of the students didn’t stop learning to watch a movie. We kept teaching math, science and English. I taught my Advanced Placement class.

FCAT has become a mixed blessing. The test has morphed into a political talking point: “all-A school district.” That’s a commendable achievement, but at what cost? Our integrity as “educators”?

Give FCAT its proper place, but restore the instructional balance in our classrooms. Let’s say “the end” to movies in the gym. 

Tim Black

School Board candidate

District 2

Stuart