The exam is often the cause of trepidation, but educators aren't sure if lawmaker's good intentions will actually make FCAT stress worse.
A new bill is being debated by state legislators to remove the words "Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test" from every textbook and out of the classroom all together.

According to Alachua Count School Board spokesperson, Jackie Johnson, "Telling teachers they can't talk about the FCAT is not the way to go to making the FCAT less of a stressful event in the child's or in a teacher's life," she said.

Steven Stark, the districts Director of Research Testing added, "It may decrease some of the things that we're able to purchase and provide for the kids because it has the FCAT word associated with it."

Lawmakers hope it will prevent teaching to the test. but educators worry that if the bill passes students will not be prepared, and school ranking --which are based on FCAT scores-- will be hurt.

Stacey Samuel