Local

FCAT hotline open, but few seem to know about it

A statewide hotline set up to answer parents’ questions and complaints about this year's dismal FCAT scores had only received 147 calls as of mid-afternoon Monday, according to state education official.

Website: FCAT Hotline | 866-507-1109

That stands in stark contrast to the fury parents expressed last week to WFTV over the failing grades on the revamped writing test.

On Monday, WFTV reporter Bianca Castro conducted a random check of Orange County parents and could not find one who even knew the hotline existed.

State education officials say the response on the hotline was so low because only a small number of test scores have been released.

The majority of parents who did call asked general questions about the writing exam, officials said.

Orange County parent Carol Hale knows how important her children's FCAT scores can be.

“This impacts their grades. This determines whether they go on further,’’ she said.

That’s why so many parents couldn't believe what they saw when the state released the first batch of scores last week: 70 percent of students failed the writing test.

The state quickly decided to lower the passing grade, which allowed more children to pass, and it even set up a hotline to address parents’ concerns.

In addition to criticisms about the revamped writing test’s more rigorous standards, there has also been criticism about Pearson, the company that grades the FCAT. Pearson has been sued before over scoring errors.

Florida Department of Education spokeswoman Cheryl Etters said, “The Department of Education has had outside independent reviews, of not only the scoring, but of the FCAT test itself. … That will continue again this year. They're doing exactly the same process.’’

State officials plan to run billboard ads and public service announcements to promote the hotline. Money from an education foundation will pay for that, officials said.

More test results are expected to be released soon.

If you would like to call the FCAT hotline, the toll free number is 866-507-1109. The hotline is open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day.

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