When the FCAT was first introduced, it stirred up a lot of controversy and debate. Students detested having to take annual standardized tests, whether they counted or not, and teachers eventually got bored of enforcing and teaching FCAT in the classroom. Nevertheless, the FCAT is still in effect, and now the Department of Education task force may recommend additional end of the year course exams for high school subjects.

Members of a state task force on high school reform believe the tests are a way to ensure that students are actually learning what they are supposed to learn. The tests will be on courses such as history, literature, biology, and other relevant subjects. A possibility even exists for students to take the FCAT in addition to these end-of-year tests.

Before Florida adopts the tests statewide, the standards will need to be raised and uniform so teachers would know what to cover prior to the exams. However, it could be a few years before the tests reach classrooms.

It has not been decided yet whether or not students will have to pass the end-of-year exams to go to the next grade level or whether students would have to repeat only the courses they fail. The primary goal behind the annual course exams is to improve students’ achievement in subjects not covered by the FCAT. The task force meets one more time before the idea is presented to the state legislators in January.

Miami Dade County Public Schools is willing to accept end-of-course exams if it brings up the level of standards of its students. “Our view is that we are moving as rapidly as possible to a standard that exceeds FCAT,” said Joseph Garcia, who attends these meeting pertaining to the subject tests.

Whatever the outcome, MDCPS students will indubitably face some changes in the years to come.