Reducing the Role of the FCAT
CIVIC Concern | | 
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Since completing comprehensive expert reports on the impact of the FCAT and the A Plus plan in 2004 and 2007, CIVIC has advocated for an overhaul of the state's accountability system.
In 2006 and 2007, legislation based on CIVIC research was developed and filed by members of the State House and Senate, but those bills failed to pass. This year, State Senator Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, chair of the Senate's Pre-K-12 Education Committee, has filed a bill that would add a number of other factors to the high school grading equation, reducing the importance of the FCAT for high schools.
While more comprehensive change is needed, this bill is a good beginning. The fact that it was filed by a committee chair signals that legislative leaders are finally willing to consider changes in the accountability system.
For more information, read the full article here.
What changes do you believe need to be made to the accountability system? Should the emphasis on the FCAT be reduced, or should the test be scrapped altogether? Or do you believe the system is working effectively and doesn't need reform?
