Miami Times Online News - South Florida's Largest Weekly Black Community Newspaper

May 28, 2003 - June 3, 2003

FCAT racially biased?

Dear Editor:

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) has spawned a scandalous aftermath. Look at it. Just like so. Black Americans didn’t show the level of indignant outrage when Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Legislature enacted FCAT for advancement and graduation from high school as is being demonstrated in the aftermath of test results. What South Floridians find is mounting pressure being applied by Bishop Victor T. Curry and State Sen. Frederica S. Wilson, D-Miami. Seems the thrust is to focus on the test as being racially and ethnically biased against Black Americans and other minorities. They plan to boycott such industries as tourism, sugar and citrus – all big contributors to Gov. Bush and his big brother, President George W. Bush. But will that address simply academic applications of basic skills, which is what the test requires? Or will it address the lack of such applications on the part of suspended UTD President Pat Tornillo, who is currently under investigation for alleged misuse of union funds? Surely, it won’t address the incompetence and malfeasance so blatantly demonstrated in the Miami- Dade Public Schools when fired Superintendent Roger Cuevas and his deputy, Dr. Henry Fraind made a mess of things. Obviously, the test doesn’t query students on profanity, as they so rudely speak. Nothing about “Yo, Dawg,” or “my nigger ‘dis’” and “my nigger ‘dat.’” Not even a question on the lyrics of any popular hip-hop tune. If that is the sole basis for racial bias, then it exists. If it is based on having no Black Americans a part of developing the test or questions involving Black American culture, then it is biased. However, truth of the matter is that standards are required to measure progress.

— Derek Joy

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