FCAT Writes 2008

This year the state of Florida is requiring all high school students to pass the FCAT Writes test in order to graduate. I gave this test to my 10th grade homeroom and it's official. They are for the most part terrified at the prospect of having to pass this test. Parents have been building it up in importance to the point that many of them had that "deer in the headlights" look while testing. I really don't think they have anything to worry about as they seemed to try their hardest and took it very seriously. I do have qualms about putting this much pressure on them to succeed on a test that in my opinion has dubious value in actually demonstrating proficiency in writing. I think they would do better if parents and the state would tone down the pressure and let them show what they know without putting them through this ordeal.