MacLeish Unleashed on Monster

Orlando Sentinel
--------------------
FCAT monster
by Laurin MacLeish
--------------------

November 2, 2006

Mike Thomas was off base in his Sunday column, "Davis wrong on desire to
dilute FCAT."

"Diluting" the FCAT is simply not what gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis
is proposing to do. What Davis does propose is to utilize the FCAT as an
open and positive measure that would allow both families and teachers to
better assist students.

I applaud anyone who stands up to this monster that continues to ravage
our public schools. As it stands now, the FCAT is a secretive and
punitive measure imposed on students and teachers all across the state
of Florida. Since its inception, FCAT has denied educators to teach in
the manner in which they know children learn best. Worse yet, it has
robbed students of a seamless, creative curriculum, taking with it their
joy for learning.

At the end of his column, in his reference to "poor-performing schools,"
Thomas states that "the FCAT is not a weapon used to punish kids. It is
a weapon used to punish those who fail them."

As a teacher in a "poor-performing school," I invite Thomas to visit my
school. What you will find are teachers going far beyond the extra mile
for students, not teachers failing students, as was stated.

What is failing both students and teachers is the almighty FCAT itself.
Laurin MacLeish

Orlando

Copyright (c) 2006, Orlando Sentinel