FCAT and the Dogged Pursuit of Standardized Tests in America

The Florida Assessment Test (FCAT) is advertised by the state as part of Florida's overall plan to increase student achievement in schools by raising standards. This is done by administering tests on writing for students in grades 4, 8, and 10; tests on reading and math for students in grades 3 through 10; and testing for science in grades 5, 8, and 11.

Let me state at the beginning that I taught tenth and eleventh grade English at a Florida high school and I took part in administering this test in addition to preparing my own students and tutoring other students after school hours. In other words, I have hands-on experience in dealing with this.

The FCAT is just one of many attempts by states across the union to impose a standardized level of learning in order to make it easier for politicians to prove they are improving the state of education in their states. But the FCAT, like all standardized tests, has certain built-in problems that will simply never be overcome. The major problem with standardized tests is that they expected, well, standardization.

Think about yourself and everyone you've ever met for a moment. Are you as good at math as you are at English? Are most people you know better at one or the other? I myself am a word guy through and through. I once took an IQ test and scored much higher than average on the verbal section. That's not bragging. Because if I bragged about that, I'd have to hide the fact that I scored below average on the math section. I just don't get math and I suspect I never will. My brain doesn't work that way. Most people are the same way. You're either better in math or English. The difference between your abilities may not be as wide as mine, but chances are there is a significant gap.