JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, otherwise known as the FCAT, has been heatedly debated for years. But now, even the governor is stepping in.
While referring to the test at a conference of newspaper editors, Governor Rick Scott said “in the end I think it’s going to change a lot.”
Colleen Wood has been advocating for change like that for years.
"It's not an accurate assessment of how our students are doing and we need accurate measurements. We need to know what best practices are working, but we need to get away from this high-stakes FCAT testing,” Wood said.
Wood heads up the group Save Duval Schools. When Action News asked her what she’d like to see in the FCAT’s place she said, "I would like to ask educators what should be in its place. I think the teachers in the classrooms are the ones that know best."
And after dismal test scores statewide, Wood believes the time for action is now.
"Every year that we focus on this and not their real education we're losing time. Time for adults may drag on, but for these children this is critical, every day matters,” she said.
On Friday, Scott said he believes between the FCAT, federal testing, and end of course testing, there may be just too much testing. He is currently in talks with state education officials, school superintendents, and teachers about implementing some changes to the current system while still having reliable measurements in place.
