Budget shortfalls cut FCAT testing

Budget shortfalls cut FCAT testing

In the midst of a state budget crisis, Florida’s Department of Education is cutting some FCAT-related expenses, including summer retakes for students who must pass the 10th grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test to graduate. This will give struggling high school students fewer chances to take the tests they must pass for a diploma.

These changes come on top of two cuts announced earlier this year. The state has cut out the multiple-choice portion of the FCAT writing exam and will not give students the national test -- dubbed the NRT -- usually administered at the same time as FCAT. Other cuts to the FCAT include the Parent Network, which allows parents to see a child's scores online.

The cuts are expected to save the state $18 million. Some of the savings include $1.2 million for eliminating the summer test, $11.5 million for cutting the Norm-Reference Test, and $1.2 million for cutting the multiple-choice section of the FCAT writing test.

However some believe the changes may lead to lower graduation rates. It's also one less opportunity for schools to earn bonus points for school grades. The new rules also mean third-graders cannot use scores from the national test (NRT) as a way to get to fourth grade, if they failed the FCAT reading exam.

Florida students take the writing portion of the FCAT in February. In March, students take the reading, math and science portions.

Sutdents who don't pass can move from 10th grade to 11th, and 11th to 12th. They can even cross the stage at graduation ceremonies. But without diplomas, they can not enter the military, community colleges or universities.

The state requires students to try the FCAT three times. If they fail, they can substitute college placement tests like the ACT or SAT.

Including the first time they take the tests as sophomores, students have had seven chances to pass the FCAT by their graduation date, including the summers after their sophomore and junior years.