THE
lightningstr ke Taking Miami-Dade by Storm
Dr. Michael M. Krop Sr. High • 1410 Countyline Road • Miami, Florida 33179
May 24, 2012 • Issue 7 • Volume 14
presents a testy situation Chris Dougnac outgoing spread editor “Pearson’s standardized tests imposed by the state on students are dehumanizing” said junior Aisha Daniels, who last spring opted out from taking the FCAT despite the risk of not being able to graduate. In her sophomore year, Aisha refused to test and was not placed in a testing room. Instead she was sent to then principal Dr. Matthew Welker. He tried to convince her to sit for the test, but she was checked out of school before students were released for lunch. “We are not really learning from standardized tests,” said Aisha. “We’re taught to be test takers and it’s ‘dumbing’ America down.” Aisha made her decision to opt out of the FCAT after lengthy conversations with her mother, former Krop English teacher Ceresta Smith, who also condemns standardized testing.
Aisha, who has taken the FCAT every year prior to the 10th grade requirement, based the majority of her decision on her own thoughts aside from her mother’s. “I have no doubt that it was something I wanted to do,” she said. Smith, however, has a higher political agenda than that of her daughter. She urged Aisha to not sit for any test issued by the state due to their recent contract signed with testing company, Pearson, the same company which administers the SAT. “She will not sit for any standardized testing that is state issued. We opted her out of high stakes testing as we recognized the discriminatory, racist, exploitive and punitive factors that cancelled out any positives,” Smith said. Smith and Aisha both believe that these tests are culturally biased, stating that because of socioeconomic
divides, minorities are not exposed to specific literary concepts that others are prior to testing. Aisha is not concerned about threats that she will not graduate. She believes that her performance on the ACT or PERT, an acronym for the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, will act as a replacement for her 10th grade FCAT scores. For the first time this year the PERT, a new form of the College Placement Test (CPT) is mandatory for juniors to find who is performing below standard, according to Florida Statutes and State Board legislation. Guidelines for the PERTs usage are still very new and Aisha may be misinformed. “The PERT does not act as a replacement for the FCAT, at least not right now and not to my knowledge,” said Xandra Lilavois, test chair person. “It only dictates who is and isn’t placed into remedial classes.”
JAVIER STORCH
ONE STUDENT’S CRUSADE: Aisha Daniels opted out of taking the FCAT, which has been administered statewide in Florida since 1998.
A concordant ACT or SAT score could act as a proxy for an unacceptable FCAT score. Because Aisha has not taken the 10th grade requirement, school testing administrators are unsure of whether concordant scores could be accepted. “Concordant scores can only work as a substitute for the FCAT if the student has at least attempted the test once” Lilavois said. It is difficult to reach a sure
conclusion about Aisha’s fate. She is testing waters that are beginning to churn as her junior year comes to an end. The question of whether she will be able to successfully opt out of the FCAT still lingers. But, the issue must reach its conclusion next year during Aisha’s senior year the same year Pearson’s state contract ends. In the mean time, Aisha has taken the ACT once and plans to take it again in October.
PROMOTION
Morgan takes over Athletic Director position
Eric Eidelstein outgoing editor-in-chief Sporting her signature PE uniform, a can-do attitude and a whistle around her neck, Athletic Director (AD) Elizabeth Morgan will replace AD Michael Kypriss who has recently stepped down. With lingering Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) fines from last years basketball scandal, a need to fill under an attended thunderdome and county-mandated health initiatives, Morgan decided to step up to the plate. With no prior teaching experience, Morgan became a PE teacher five years ago. Besides teaching PE classes, she also coaches the girls’ varsity soccer team that made it to the
INDEX: OPINION 4-5
traits and a contributing factor conference held on May 9, second round of districts. “It was the first time we ever to her appointment is her Baglos noted that she formed a committee to brainstorm made it this far and we couldn’t thoroughness. “I’m ridiculously OCD with activities for next year and have done it without Coach discuss issues facing the school. Morgan’s incessant yelling and paperwork,” Morgan said. Baglos will re-appeal the Morgan, a member of this discipline,” soccer co-captain committee, hopes to plan Agostina Trujillo said. athletic activities as well. After Kypriss stepped I want more people “Nothing is solid yet, down, principal Dawn Baglos sent out a faculty at our events. We used to but [fundraising] worked with the car washes last email looking for those interested in the position. pack the field. I need to year,” Morgan said. One of Morgan’s main Morgan replied and on figure out how we can bring Apr. 30 it was officially concerns with this year’s more people to games and program is game attendance announced. Although there is no encourage school spirit. - or lack thereof. specific requirement to “I want more people at -Elizabeth Morgan our events. We used to pack apply for the AD position, Morgan emphasizes the the field,” Morgan said. “I importance of being familiar nearly $12,000 in fines due need to figure out how we can with FHSAA rules and by February, but Morgan bring more people to games and regulations. is preparing activities and encourage school spirit.” Morgan believes that one fundraisers regardless. Morgan believes mediocre of her greater personality In a Lighting Strike press attendance explains the amount
“
”
ENTERTAINMENT 7-8
SENIOR SPREAD 9 -12
FEATURE 13
of talented athletes who attend Krop and do not want to play for a school team. “Support is a big thing, nobody wants to play in an empty stadium,” Morgan said. In January, Miami-Dade County Public School’s required all schools to have a Wellness Committee dedicated to educating and reforming a school’s healthiness. This year, the committee is still in the works with Morgan running it, but next year she hopes to involve teachers, administrators and students. “I know Coach Morgan has a lot to handle next year, but we can only hope for one thing,” Trujillo said. “That she invests as much time in running athletics as she does whipping us into shape.”
SCIENCE & HEALTH 15
SPORTS 17-18