"Davis Plans to Flunk Education System" (Florida FCAT)

[madfloridian]

I know a lot of teachers and students who would like this idea. So much of their day is spent teaching the FCAT. Hope this works for Jim.

Davis Plans to Flunk Education System

MIAMI -- Democratic candidate for governor Jim Davis unveiled an education plan Wednesday that would eliminate the school grading system, rewards for high FCAT scores and other hallmark reforms of Gov. Jeb Bush's administration. Davis said public schools have become "dreary test-taking factories" under Bush and the Republican gubernatorial nominee Charlie Crist, who formerly served as education commissioner.

It's unclear whether the Davis plan, called "Achieve Florida," is enough to boost the congressman's poll numbers before November, let alone be supported by the Republican-controlled Legislature. But the plan does highlight the unpopularity of some of the Bush administration's education reforms and raise questions about how long the reforms will stick after Bush leaves office.

Under the Davis plan, schools would be rated on factors other than the standardized test, such as discipline, graduation rates and student progress in nonFCAT subjects such as art and music. Instead of A's and Fs, schools would be rated as "excellent," "achieving," or "needs improvement."

"It's not this school that deserves an F," Davis said at a news conference at Miami Edison Senior High School, which has a large minority population and has received several failing grades from the state. "It's Charlie Crist and the politicians in Tallahassee who deserve an F."

And the FEA, the largest teachers' union has this to say:

Mark Pudlow is a spokesman for the state's largest teachers union, the Florida Education Association. He welcomed Davis' plan, saying "teachers almost universally think that there's just too much emphasis on the FCAT. It's being used to ratchet up pressure on schools in ways that it was never intended to do."

[seafan]

1. Thanks for posting this.

More here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=145&topic_id=7967&mesg_id=7967


It's hard to hear ourselves think, with the barrage of Cri$t propaganda saturation raining down on our heads.

[soup]

9. saw 2 Crist commercials tonight,

both hitting out at Davis. The only impression I had was "slick".

I hate that the FCATs have become the 'end all'. It places so much pressure on students and teachers.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Everything revolves around the FCAT

Public education should not be completely dependent on one very flawed tool for evaluating themselves.

The result of Jeb's devious plans for education is a system that is designed to make students good at one thing and not much else. Critical thinking forget it, no one has time for that. Art and music, you've got to be kidding? But we have 1000's of kids who are good at passing the FCAT.

About time someone made this a campaign issue.

[wakeme2008]

3. Most parents HATE the FCAT because it drives their kids crazy...

IMHO he will pick up non-fundie votes with this.

[madfloridian]

4. Most teachers are fed up with it.

There is no teaching time anymore.

I am glad he is doing this.

[1monster]

5. My once-staunch but now wavering Republican friend is voting for Davis

strictly because of the FCATs. There is a lot of ill feeling toward the FCATs especially among the teachers who have to teach it.

And liberal vs conservative politics doesn't come into it at all.

[madfloridian]

6. FCAT began the year before I retired.

Even back then it was terrible. I was teaching 4th grade part of the year, and that was where the test was concentrated then.

I did not get to teach much, just be sure they covered the test.

[marchcalls]

7. property taxes and insurance will be huge in florida

unfortunately that means Crist wins

[soup]

8. Good article here on Crist's 'tax plan' .

How's that kid's ditty go?
something along the lines of:

"Never smile at a crocodile.
Don't be taken in by his friendly grin."

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15616720.htm

[SharonAnn]

10. They went WAY UP under GOP leadership. Gov and legislature.

So they want more of the same?

[jab105]

11. Sounds good, but I've seen absolutely NOTHING! about Davis around here...

I see about 10-20 Crist ads a day (just in 2-3 hours of having the tv on in the background)...according to the commercials Davis is a "LIBERAL Washington Politician" who thought that the school tax holiday was stupid...and Crist is GREAT!

I've kept my eye out for anything about Davis, and seen absolutely NOTHING!! Is the democratic party that broke in FL that they cant buy any ads in NorthCentral Florida?

I don't think Crist is that strong, but he has 1000x the exposure that Davis does, and I'm at a loss...I'm in Rod Smith country here, these people are going to go for Crist (lots of moderate democrats) if Davis doesn't start getting more exposure around here...