Just as Escambia County public schools had climbed back up to an overall B average, the state is considering toughening the scoring system for the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT). The Sun-Sentinel reports that proposed new scoring system being considered by the State Baord of Education could cause the percentage of students failing to increase dramatically.
Forty-five percent of high and middle school students would have failed the algebra exam. “The suggested changes mean more third graders could be held back, more students would require intensive reading and math lessons and more teenagers would struggle to meet Florida’s increasing high school graduation requirements.”
The Board will make a decision in December and the new scoring system would go into effect in 2012.
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