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Candidates, look at FCAT

A savvy candidate for governor would take a close look at a new survey of school principals about the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The results reflect a frustration with the FCAT that extends beyond the principal's office and into the living rooms of many voters who would listen to a thoughtful discussion about overhauling the testing system after Gov. Jeb Bush leaves office.

The survey by the Florida Forum for Progressive Policy illustrates that most principals share the concerns of many parents that the FCAT has become an obsession in too many schools and classrooms. Two out of three principals agreed that "my teachers have little time to teach anything not on the state tests." Two out of three also said time spent in areas such as foreign languages, social studies and history and the arts has decreased because those areas are not covered by the FCAT. The principals were closely divided even over whether the "FCAT helps teachers improve instruction" and whether school grades have spurred school districts to focus more resources on problem schools.

As it stands now, the political debate about the FCAT is more of a shouting match than a reasonable discussion. Republican legislators and Education Commissioner John Winn were dismissive of the poll results. Republican candidate for governor Tom Gallagher declares the state can't go back to the "old days on education policy" when Democrats were in control. Democratic candidates Jim Davis and Rod Smith counter there is too much emphasis on the FCAT but haven't gone beyond sound bites. Republicans cite improved test scores; Democrats counter with low teacher salaries and high dropout rates. As the campaign progresses, what educators and parents are waiting to hear is how the candidates would bring a better sense of proportion to the FCAT process and whether they would continue to use the results as a hammer rather than a diagnostic tool.

The debate over the future of public education in Florida is too often focused on side issues and absolute positions. The Republicans, Chief Financial Officer Gallagher and Attorney General Charlie Crist, are for the private tuition vouchers that the Florida Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional; the Democrats oppose them. The Democrats support the class size amendment; the Republicans want to repeal it. The FCAT debate should not be so simplistic. The issue is not whether the FCAT continues to exist but how it is best used to measure performance, lead to improvements and ensure accountability. That might not fit neatly into a television commercial, but it would get voters' attention.

The smart candidate would recognize the FCAT angst and respond to it by proposing thoughtful reforms that would touch families and educators in practical ways. He might even talk to a principal or two first.

[Last modified February 3, 2006, 23:45:03]