Administrators talk up the FCAT in classrooms

Mr. Imerson in Ms. Winslow's class on Feb. 19

GULF HIGH SCHOOL, Feb. 19, 2003 -- Gulf principals and assistant principals have been visiting classrooms this week, telling students the importance of doing well on the FCAT next month and making sure students are aware of other important academic requirements.

The FCAT, or Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, will be administered at Gulf High School next month. Students must pass the exam to earn a standard high school diploma. The test is also used to assign letter grades to public schools in Florida.

In his talk to Ms. Winslow's tenth-grade English Honors class this afternoon, Mr. Imerson told students that they faced the possibility of being scheduled into "intensive math" or "intensive reading" classes next year if they did poorly on either part of the FCAT. The remedial course would take the place of an elective course.

Mr. Imerson also distributed to students forms which showed their previous FCAT scores, and explained their significance.

He also made sure students knew the number of credits they need to graduate (24) and the required GPA they need to graduate (2.0). He also showed students the procedure to calculate their weighted and unweighted GPA's.