"In yesterday's newspaper, the headlines highlighted that a high school principal in Brevard County was asked to resign and four assistant principals were transferred from that school. Why?  I feel the stress and high expectations placed on students' FCAT scores have caused this to happen.

"The demand for all students to not be left behind has created a monster called 'cheat and conquer,' regardless of integrity. During FCAT testing, many administrators are pressured by the state and county officials to have an 'A' school. In the above mentioned incident, the administration was asked to resign for promoting special education students from ninth and tenth grades to eleventh grade so that their tests scores would not influence the school's grade. What a scandal! This has caused the principal, the four vice principals, and the county to be investigated.  

"I am horrified that if one school got caught, maybe there are many more getting away with this type of practice. It's indeed sad and tragic that NCLB and high-stakes testing have created this kind of destruction. I am an advocate for accountability; however, it is my opinion that a well-balanced portfolio that gives a genuine snapshot of a student's  academic ability provides hard evidence of a student's best performance. The FCAT should not be the main focus.

"The way to educate students is to direct them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, rather than to focus on teaching-to-the-test so that students parrot what they have learned. Say 'no' to the high-stakes testing that only encourages students to feel anxious and inferior to their peers if they have a learning disability or cannot control test anxiety.

"I have seen elementary students cry and bite their nails during the weeks of FCAT testing. Surely, in this age of technology, we can create a democratic nation with students who are encouraged to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Just say 'no' to high-stakes testing. Instead, keep our students prepared to engage in problem solving. Let there be a more varied way to document student progress.

"The Florida FCAT is leaving students behind in the arts, which includes music, drama, and foreign language. I feel that students deserve the very best that they can achieve. Students don't just need the core of education. They deserve the whole apple.  

"Our students deserve the best in education exellence. Save our public schools for the future of our democracy. Vote 'no' on the ESEA/NCLB authorization. We need to touch the lives of students to accomplish $ucce$$. (I spelled success with the dollar signs to indicate that a good, sound, well-balanced education will lead to earning a better well paying jobs and good citizenship.)

"ESEA has taken and will continue to take the joy out of teaching and learning. Students retain what they are learning much better if they are actively involved in the learning processes. This is not the way to prove that a student can learn or a teacher can teach. Please say 'no'!" 

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