[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

4... Using the one size fits all standardized testing model to gauge our progress may be cost-efficient, but it sure as heck flies in the face of all current and semi-current research which shows us unconditionally that there are many ways to cultivate, measure, and reward excellence. The time in schools we spend teaching "to the test" so students can jump through a hoop all in the name of convincing ourselves this is the way to a better future is, well, frustrating at best.

As a student that is eternally frustrated with ALL standardized tests (partially because I'm just not good at them), I can not agree with you more. My Statistics 2 class did a project where we ran a correlation of SAT scores with final college GPAs, and it is no shock that a couple hour test of knowledge is unable to gauge how well one is able to study and perform academically.

When Harmony High School opened 5 years ago, a special room was built with modules and a teacher highered to teach construction and engineering (as well as a room for veterinary, and one for the arts). A couple years ago all of these programs were closed (and team 1604's budget cut) so the school could allocate more resources to teaching FCAT Test programs. This is no surprise, the school's budget depends on how students well students do on the standardized test, not based on real world skills learned. What gets rewarded gets managed.

That was then, this is now. 1390 and 1604 is now one team. 1390's room was demolished last year, and they built this years robot in the old construction room. The principal of St. Cloud came to the Florida regional, and made a call for a room to built just for FIRST. Both schools are going to work together to get and Engineering curriculum as an elective credit, and also make that a Duel Enrollment class worth college credit.

Side note, I would like to mention all of this wonderful momentum has all to do with the teachers of the two schools, and I do not accept credit for their great work.