On  March 9--11, 2010,  I helped proctor the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) at Hollywood Hills High School.  This is the Florida version of the exit tests for the No Child Left Behind program.  I was there as a substitute teacher and  actually enjoy a change of pace from my regular work at the elementary schools.    The 11th graders assigned to Room 603 walked in that morning  and were seated alphabetically.  The other lady, a  faculty member announced that we'd wait  for a late bus, she took attendance  and began passing out materials.

 

I can't help it, many situations conjure up movies, songs, and pop culture references. This time it was the classroom scene in the movie "Ferris Buelher's Day Off."   So, as we were gathering up the electronics, book bags and all, some grumbling started up and a few discontented students asked why did they have to take tests and why are they stuck with this.  I wanted to show that their generation isn't suffering more than others before them,  and asked the head proctor if I could address it, she was very happy to let me handle this.   I stood in front of them, and  said, "You know, nothing's new under the sun, there's always been some exit exams  and if others have handled it, you can too.  Now, it's been forty -five years since my high school days."   I continued,  "and I'm going to my high school reunion this summer where I grew up in Massachusetts."

 

All the girls exclaimed, "oh, how nice."    The boys said:  "Cool." I said, "yeah, but guess what, we had our pressures too".   They all looked puzzled, I told them I remembered being ushered into the auditorium to take standardized aptitude tests.   I emphasized that they couldn't imagine my fear.  Then I said, those tests determined the track we would follow in high school, a student  would either be placed in the college prep courses, business or general studies.  In the early 60s, days it was still the "cold war" so, the competition between the Russians and the US was intense, I explained .  It was my classmates' and my job to score well and beat the Russians in national math, reading and mechanical aptitude scores.  (think back, you will remember it, if I do)

 

 I gestured to the table where the snacks were placed for the break between sessions:  8 oz. Zefferhills spring water bottles, animal cracker individual bags and mini pretzel bags,  and said: My classmates and I not only had to beat the Russians, but we had to do it without a snack and an I-pod to relax with after the test at lunch.  Can you imagine the pressure?  They shook their heads.  The announcement was made to proceed with  the test and  those Ed Hardey -wearing teens got into a test taking mode.