Free Parent Briefings
Call 561-361-7495 for details
On December 19th, 2011, the State of Florida Board of Education raised the FCAT passing scores effective immediately. This will dramatically increase the percentage of students who will fail the all important 3rd grade FCAT, the End of Course Algebra exam, the 10th Grade FCAT and all other FCAT tests. This article is focused on how parents can make the difference.
We have seen estimates that this will dramatically increase the percent of students who fail these tests.
Percent Percent Increase
Expected Who Failed in Pct Percentage
To Fail in 2011 Failing Increase
3rd Grade FCAT 43% 28% 15 pts 54%
10th Grade FCAT 48% 40% 8 pts 20%
End of Course Algebra Exam 46% (New Test)
Our third grade failing rate includes those who fail and may be retained and those who are below grade level and will need remediation.
For the 10th grade FCAT, the percentage of failing students are those who will not earn a regular high school diploma unless they pass the FCAT or meet the criteria another way.
My name is Mira Halpert. I have a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Michigan. I have four great kids. Two of them excelled in school; the other two were equally bright, but they struggled with reading comprehension.
In 1995, they told me my 8th grade daughter Julie was not college material and I became
A mom on a mission!!!
My research led me to realize that Julie was a right-brained learner, who learned best when she saw and experienced information and who could do far better with a hands-on approach to learning.
I then developed the 3D Learner Program (R) that helped my daughter to dramatically improve her reading comprehension as well as her standardized test scores. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Florida.
Today, Julie is a National Board Certified Teacher teaching 3rd graders in Durham, North Carolina.
Using the same approach, my then 3rd grade son Michael made dramatic gains in his reading and FCAT scores -- and never had to worry about passing the FCAT throughout his high school career.
Since 1997, we have helped over 2000 students. We help students of all ages become positive, successful students. What we have found, however, is that if we can help students early in elementary school, especially 2nd and 3rd graders, they can become successful and confident throughout their school career.
Five key points:
1) 80 to 90% of students who struggle in school do far better with a hands-on and engaging program. They often struggle for years with traditional teaching methods -- despite massive help from teachers, parents and outside professionals.
2) These students often have 1, 2 or even 3 additional challenges:
- They skip words and/or lines when reading
- They have difficulty paying attention during long tests -- the FCAT is over an hour per segment
- They have test anxiety that is often present when doing homework, being asked to read out loud in class or when they must take a high stakes test - like the FCAT
3) With the right parent and professional teamwork these students can:
- Signficantly improve reading comprehension
- Dramatically reduce homework time and stress
- Make the 3rd Grade FCAT,the 10th Grade FCAT or any other FCAT much easier. Most 3D Learner Students get a 3 and even a 4 on the FCAT, (which means they would either be at or above grade level)
- Create a win-win-win for students, parents and teachers
4) Informed, empowered and proactive parents make the difference. Like many of our parents, we were told our child might grow out of this or to accept reality that she might not succeed. We chose traditional interventions until we realized they did not do the job.
Then, we chose to act decisively. We found an approach that worked for our child and consistently followed through with it; the benefits far exceeded our expectations.
5) Our critical first role is to help you to
understand your ability to make
the difference for your child.
Our parents have been pleased with results and shared their comments. One parent of a second grader who participated in our program summed it up best:
"The results from your program were spectacular", M. Jacobs, Parkland
Another parent commented,
"You helped me more with your 10-minute free consult than what I spent thousands for", D. Jefferson, Maryland
You can listen to what other parents have to say by viewing the video on 3D Learner Parents Testimonials
At no cost to you, we provide a 10-minute consult if you complete the Quick Test. List your single biggest concern and then call us at 561-361-7495.
Make this the year that you go from Stress to Success for your child!
|