A coalition of Miami-Dade community leaders has renewed its demand that the state overhaul its controversial high-stakes testing program.
The group held a news conference Wednesday, saying problems with this year's test should make the state question its validity, and that many students who fail the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test turn to crime. ``It's time to let this community know that enough is enough,'' said School Board member Wilbert ``Tee'' Holloway. ``We've got to make a change.''
Many of those who attended the news conference are longtime FCAT opponents. They have said the state's accountability system encourages teachers to teach to the test, stifling creativity in the classroom.
But problems with a new company administering and scoring this year's tests prompted them to redouble their opposition.
They raised questions about NCS-Pearson, the testing company that received a $254 million contract to administer the FCATs. After falling weeks behind in delivering student scores, Pearson must now pay the state $15 million in fines.
``We're dealing with high-stakes testing and we're hiding behind the niceties of accountability,'' said Victor T. Curry, president of the local chapter of the NAACP. ``Somebody is gaining from the failures of our children.''
State Sen. Frederica Wilson, who is running for U.S. Congress, said the state should throw out this year's scores.
``Our children shouldn't be hurt because one company screwed up,'' she said.
Wilson said the test keeps thousands of teenagers from earning their diplomas. When they can't find jobs, they often resort to lives of crime and drugs, she said.
Wilson wants the state to develop vocational programs that help students earn industry certification without having to pass the FCAT.
``There's too much resting on one test,'' she said.
Some former students agree.
Tedy Soler had a 2.8 GPA at the end of his career at Miami High. But he failed the FCAT on multiple attempts.
Soler later passed the ACT, an alternative to the FCAT. He is studying criminology at Miami Dade College.
``My story proves that the FCAT doesn't prove anything,'' Soler said.
Advocates of the FCAT say the test program has brought greater accountability to Florida's schools and increased the quality of education dramatically.
