ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A local teacher broke her silence to WFTV about the FCAT controversy.
The middle school English teacher, who did not want to be identified, said she has more than two decades in the Central Florida school system.
"I want them to love writing, and this test makes them fear writing," said the teacher.
She said one of her best classes failed the writing portion of the FCAT, until the state lowered the passing grade.
She also said students who speak English as a second language did as well as her gifted students.
"We don't know why. That's one of my questions; who is evaluating this test?" she said. "Are these people scoring this test qualified educators?"
Pearson International, which puts out the test, doesn't disclose who scores it.
WFTV also learned the test sent to Pearson contains personal data on each student, such as gender, race, and whether they're on a free lunch program.
"As a parent, I am appalled that anyone would have that personal information about my child," said parent Paula Bradshaw.
Bradshaw said her two children passed the FCAT, but she doesn't know what they're learning.
"When our children know more about test-taking strategies instead of the history of Florida, it should be a concern for all parents," Bradshaw said.
The teacher said she wants the writing portion replaced with a portfolio assessment.
Otherwise, she said an entire student's career comes down to a 45-minute test.
"FCAT is a dream-killer. It takes one low FCAT score to make a child feel like they can't accomplish anything," the teacher said.
Pearson has reportedly told school officials it uses the students' personal data to better determine the specific teaching needs of each student.
Tuesday night, Orange County School Board member Rick Roach will host a meeting to address the FCAT.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Boone High School.