The dreaded FCAT: students have no choice, they have to pass it.
But while overall school grades in Miami-Dade have gone up, schools in Liberty City are lagging behind.
"If people knew how bad it was, some people would get motivated," said T. Willard Fair, the president of the Urban League of Miami.
The Urban League has created an outreach program called Development Revolution that's attacking the FCAT problem in Liberty City by educating adults.
"If you keep saying to them 'oh you can't pass this FCAT, oh I don't know why they have this FCAT, oh my god what are we going to do,' then the stress, the lack of confidence exudes from the parents to the children," Fair said.
There are no specific FCAT statistics for Liberty City, but the area is predominantly black. And in Miami-Dade County last year, the percentage of white and Hispanic students scoring a 3 or above on the FCAT was significantly higher than the percentage of black students.
The Urban League believes that improving those numbers starts with confidence. That's why their campaign is highlighted by a huge billboard in the heart of Liberty City that reads, "Yes We Can Pass the FCAT!"
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"I want them to believe that no matter what the circumstances are, that they can be successful," said Fair.
Fifth grader Deja Young lives in Liberty City and is being raised by her grandmother. Deja gets tutoring at the Urban League and her grandma gets tips on how to prepare her for the FCAT.
"I let her know it's fun to learn," said grandmother Barbara Sanders.
Fair says, "It is a measurement, not a punishment. The adults must convey that to the children."
The Urban League also recommends a good night's rest, a good breakfast and reading to your children as ways to help them succeed at the FCAT.
