State law in Florida requires a passing score on the FCAT before a high school student can graduate and receive a diploma. That represents the main reason students in Florida should pass the FCAT. Understanding rules and complying with them is an important part of education. When confronted with an obstacle, students must learn to overcome it rather than search for ways to avoid it. While many in Florida continue to criticize the FCA, it remains in place and should be followed.
One criticism of the FCAT involves the statement that it does not measure a student's knowledge, which means it is not fair. One answer to fairness lies in the number of times a student can take the FCAT. Students initially take the test in the 10th grade. If a student passes then it is over and there is no retesting. For students who do not pass, they receive two chances in the 11th grade. If they fail both times they get a fourth and fifth chance in their senior year before graduation. Five chances is Florida's idea of fairness. If a student still wants to graduate he can return to high school for year 13 and take the FCAT two more times. The other option is to take the test after leaving high school. If the student passes, he will receive a diploma.
Students who plan to pursue any type of education or training after high school will encounter similar tests. Learning in high school how to pass a standardized test can prove useful when taking other standardized tests to get into college, graduate school, law school, medical school or passing an exam to receive certification in a career field. Studying and passing the FCAT demonstrates an ability to take a standardized test.
Students who cannot pass the FCAT can either obtain a GED as an equivalent of a high school diploma or enter a Florida Community College. Both are means to further education without the diploma. High school diplomas still carry weight and that is reason enough to pass the FCAT.