The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, known as the FCAT, will start across the state today and for some students, the FCAT tests are only the beginning.
There will also be advanced placement tests, the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading tests, ACTs, SAT’s and baccalaureate tests, not to mention regular end-of-term exams.
School officials say the tests are expected to be tougher this year and more may be riding on the scores.
Lower test scores could mean lower grades for area schools and mean fewer students moving on to the next grade.
The tests also will have an impact on teacher evaluations and a portion of their pay.
To help students get off to a good start hundreds of McDonald’s restaurants across the state gave students from the third to the 11th grades free breakfasts from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
