Parents test need for Lee schools’ approved testing calendar

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Parents believe the Lee County school district’s new testing calendar will mean more tests for students, but school board members say the calendar, approved Tuesday, will mean less testing for a typical student.

High school freshmen will be expected to complete more than 16 hours of testing, according to the plan, which was approved during Tuesday’s school board meeting. K-2 students and high school seniors will take about four hours of tests.

With district tests added to the students’ testing calendar, secondary schools will be required to take more math and reading exams.

“You should see hours go down in a typical scenario,” said Pam Lariviere, Lee County school board member. “The ones that will be hardest hit are going to be those in the middle and high school that have the end of course exams that may require retakes.”

Saane Thompkins, the mother of a high school student, believes the only tests students like hers should be concerned about are the ones required for college admission.

“They come home, they do homework, they do homework, they do homework and it’s just, I really want them to have more time,” she said. “I love to see classes come up that prep kids during the school hours to take these tests that are national tests like the SAT and ACT. You know, the scores that colleges look at. I think that’s time well spent.”

Heather Serpico, who also has a child in high school, believes students take too many tests.

“I don’t think that it has any significance on the students abilities,” she said. “It just puts more pressure on students and doesn’t actually teach them to think, which is what i hope school does.”

If passed, the calendar must still be approved by the state.