The annual Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is meant to measure the academic performance and progress of individual students and entire schools. But when March rolls around, the one thing the FCAT tests most profoundly are teachers' and students' nerves. At many schools, administrators like to loosen things up with pre- and post-FCAT events, pep rallies and parties. This year, Fox Hollow Elementary School raised that idea to the next level with a group activity that raised their spirits sky high, somewhat literally. ...more

March 14, 2009

This year, short dresses are the rule as high school girls get ready for their homecoming dances. ...more

October 17, 2008

Florida schools that rally, drill and otherwise throw themselves into an FCAT frenzy may have to exercise more control, now that new test-prep restrictions have become law. ...more

July 20, 2008

When you're the school president, the county's largest senior class doesn't feel quite as big. ...more

May 28, 2008

When you're the school president, the county's largest senior class doesn't feel quite as big. ...more

May 28, 2008

Has Florida created a monster? Today marks the second day of the writing portion of the most important, high-stakes test of the season: The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, which began Tuesday. ...more

February 13, 2008

Has Florida created a monster? ...more

February 12, 2008

Welcome to FCAT-land. Across the district, Hernando County public school officials are pumping students up with motivational cheers, reminding children of test-taking rules and gearing up for the most important, high-stakes test of the season: the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, set to begin Tuesday. ...more

February 8, 2008

Welcome to FCAT-land. Across the district, Hernando County public school officials are pumping students up with motivational cheers, reminding children of test-taking rules and gearing up for the most important, high-stakes test of the season: The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, set to begin Tuesday. Tampa-based motivational speaker Fairest Hill, a musician and former keyboard player for The Gap Band, spent Friday traveling between several district schools for "Slam Dunk The Test," or his message of overcoming defeat with perseverance and dedication to students. ...more

February 8, 2008

A committee of parents, teachers and students at Armwood High School voted unanimously Wednesday to keep a book in its media center after it was challenged by a parent who objected to an explicit passage. ...more

January 9, 2008