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In wake of hurricanes more children left behind by Gloria Pipkin [From the News Herald, Panama City, Florida, December 27, 2004 ] On October 14, State Senator Gary Siplin publicly urged Governor Bush to suspend this year’s FCAT exams administered under his A+ Plan. “The exams are punitive, and our children in our schools will pay the price. This examination should be suspended this year so that our school systems can recover," he said. Siplin’s plea followed the Volusia County School Board’s announcement that it was seeking relief from penalties associated with both the state and federal assessment systems. "People are still reeling and suffering from what they went through," School Board member Vicki Bumpus said. "To be punitive to schools or students is an unfair burden after all we've been through." The Palm Beach County School Board is also publicly opposed to any punitive measures imposed by this year’s high stakes testing. Like its counterpart in Volusia County, the Palm Beach Board has requested that this year’s exams be used only for diagnostic purposes. No Child Left Behind even has a provision whereby states may request that testing be withheld for one year in cases of natural disaster. And yet, despite the state legislature convening last week for a special session relative to this year’s devastating hurricanes, nothing was done for children who may have been impacted by the hurricanes and now face another round of high stakes testing. Thousands of students have already missed significant class time due to this year’s storms. Many are still recovering from the academic and emotional stress they have suffered. Even in areas that were not directly impacted, family members have been providing support to loved ones whose homes were damaged or destroyed. With so many kids unable to adequately prepare for this year’s testing, a number of issues are being raised about the punitive effects imposed by the state ‘A-plus’ and federal ‘No Child Left Behind’ assessment programs. One primary concern is that more third graders than ever are likely to be held back this year because of penalties associated with FCAT testing. Seniors must also pass the FCAT in order to graduate. Another question concerns No Child Left Behind assessment standards and their associated costs. Last year NCLB labeled almost 90% of Florida’s public schools as failing to make adequate progress. To add insult to injury, according to a May 12 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this law is costing the state of Florida $1.44 billion per year. With the fiscal impact of the hurricanes already severe, why pay millions of dollars to unfairly place "failing" labels on our public schools? This year’s tests should be suspended to demonstrate concern for our children’s welfare, as well as to provide elected officials an opportunity to consider the punitive and fiscal impact of these policies, and ensure they are fixed and fully funded. Organizations like Communities for Quality Education, the Florida Coalition for Assessment Reform and a growing number of concerned citizens around the state are calling on Governor Bush to “Have a Heart”, but so far he has been inflexible on the subject of accountability standards. Please help send a message to state officials that our children, teachers and public schools deserve support - not reprimand - in the wake of this year’s tragic hurricanes. Write to your state legislators and express your concern about the impact high stakes testing will have on Florida school children in the aftermath of the historic and devastating 2004 hurricane season.
Gloria Pipkin is president of the Florida Coalition for Assessment Reform and a resident of Lynn Haven.
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