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Parents Put To The Test

. photo by Liz Bleau

Shandann White and Cecilia Capitano give questions during Smarter Than Fifth-Grader contest at McLane Middle School as parents and students at the school came together on a recent Saturday morning for an FCAT fun day that featured contests, performances by the step team, the band and the orchestra.

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

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BRANDON - "Fun" isn't the word parents and students usually think of when they ponder the FCATs, the annual standardized tests students in certain grades must take each year.

To take some of the sting out of the upcoming Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests, staff members at McLane Middle School invited parents to test their knowledge - and have fun.

On Jan. 26, 75 parents took up the invitation, joined by 64 students, many of whom served as coaches.

The quiz was modeled after "Are You Smarter Than a 5th-Grader," the popular FOX TV show in which adults are asked questions that average fifth-graders can answer.

The McLane quiz featured questions for fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders taken from previous FCATs, FCAT Explorer and other FCAT resources.

The challenge was daunting to some parents.

Bridget Brisson opted not to be a contestant because "I already know I am not smarter than a fifth-grader."

Linda Calhoun, a McLane parent and interior designer, volunteered to give a shot at answering sixth grade-level questions.

She tackled science and math questions and a short reading assignment. Several times, she called upon student coaches for help, as contestants on the TV show are permitted to do.

The students, wearing "Are You Smarter Than a 5th-Grader" T-shirts, had been given copies of the questions and sat poised on the McLane auditorium stage to help parents who ran into trouble.

"This is going to stump me," Calhoun, a Brandon resident, said when faced with a math problem that required her to find the average of five numbers. She asked to use a calculator, as students taking the FCAT are permitted to, and checked her answers with the student coaches.

Daughters Kierra, 12, a student at McLane, and Victoria, 7, cheered on their mom.

Kierra said she was reluctant when Calhoun volunteered.

"What if she, like, missed some answers and was embarrassed?" Kierra said.

She was pleased her mom answered all the questions correctly and won the grand prize, a basketful of school supplies.

Victoria also was proud of her mom.

"But it would have been OK if she had the wrong answer," she said.

Participants in FCAT Family Fun Day also nibbled on Cuban sandwiches, made crafts with yarn and enjoyed performances by the school orchestra, school band and Flava, the McLane girls' step team.

Michelle Richardson, the school's parent involvement coordinator, said McLane draws students from Brandon and Tampa, so events are planned in both communities.

"We know that increased parental involvement is linked to higher student achievement and performance," Richardson said.

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampa trib.com.

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