DMS students ace FCAT writing test

It looks like there is some silver lining to the recent reports of  “average” performance of Okaloosa County students on the FCAT.

The Destin Middle School eighth graders passed the FCAT Writes portion with flying colors.

“All of the 180 students tested scored 3.0 or higher and 96% scored 3.5 or higher,” says Sue MacDonald, public relations coordinator for the school.

These scores come with a distinctive bunch — ten of the eighth graders scored a perfect 6.0 on their FCAT Writes essays.

Last week, Elly Krafcik, Ellie Romair, Heather Rone, Katrina Lathi, Alina Swafford, Sarah Gold, Jessica Gagliardi, Stephanie Podjed, William

“Cooper” Barrett and Kyle Van Atta learned about their high marks.

“It made me feel smart,” Rone said.

Teachers in Okaloosa County have been preparing students all year for the FCAT.

The students unanimously agreed that language arts teacher Dee Fisher prepared them the most for the essay portion. History teachers Patrick Cole and Wendy Winters got an honorable mention for helping the students get ready for this important exam.

“We learned literary components and how to organize an essay,” says Gagliardi.

Students were assigned to either describe their favorite form of transportation or write a letter to a newspaper editor to persuade people to take the time to read or not read at home. They were then graded on their writing proficiency.

All of the diligent preparation paid off.

“I was surprised,” Romair told The Log.