Jenna Greenfield – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Next Tuesday is jam-packed with activities as testing comes to LRHS.

Sophomores will be taking the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), receiving a prompt and writing an essay about it.

“The purpose of it is to examine our tenth graders’ writing ability.” said assistant principal Mike Mullen. “[It will be useful] in order for them to make it into college. To affectively perform in college, they’ll need to take classes with many writing components.”

Sophomores’ hard work will pay off immediately, however.

“Students who use their planning sheet and work diligently will receive a ticket they can exchange for an ice cream sandwich at lunch,” said Mullen.

Sophomore English teacher Michael Johnson is confident of students’ abilities. “I don’t try to cram a ton of writing in the week before because we work on it all year. I just hope the prompt gives the kids an honest chance to show their skills because I think my students are definitely prepared to do well on it.”

Freshmen will take the benchmark writing test, which will be graded by English teachers.

This test is an opportunity for freshmen to gain practice for the writing they will do throughout high school.

“I will see this as any other test although I will take it seriously because it will benefit me in the future.” said freshman Lucas Hines.

Freshmen and sophomores will not be the only ones testing. Juniors will take the practice Postsecondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT).

“It’s one more tool to determine the college readiness of students in math and reading,” Mullen explained.

Seniors will get a lucky break because,  instead of testing, they will attend a meeting to receive information about upcoming events.

Mullen is hopeful for those testing.
“I wish everybody the best of luck. Come up with well-thought ideas and make us proud.”

All students should report to their homerooms after second period when testing begins.