CLAST Exam: A Waste of Time

Stop your whining and realize that in order to get a college degree, you must have learned something. I suspect you're one of those who, in high school, never did their own homework, you just copied someone else's the period before math class. You might have even cheated on tests, because you didn't want to take the time to really learn the material. How many hours did you study each night? When I prepared to take the CLAST, I bought the study booklet and went through it page by page, each night, until I felt confident of the material. 

That piece of paper, the college diploma, implies HIGHER learning. It requires diligence, something not evident in your post. If you would spend as much time studying and learning as you are complaining, you might actually pass the CLAST and accomplish any other task important to your success. There is NO free lunch OR college degree. Suck it up and do the work required!

That's quite a user name, hope you don't mind if I abbreviate it.  Bo what does CLAST stand for?  You said in your research it is like the FCAT, is it attached to some sort of funding?  Are you a young person fresh out of High School or a more mature adult that went back to school?  I only ask because I know how tough it was for me to remember how to "study" when I went into the Appraisal field. 

Grizelda was it really necessary to be so mean?  I understand the concept of "suck it up and stop whining" but you went much further then that.  The implication that this person cheated is really undeserved and a very scary attitude to have being a Teacher yourself.

Bo, sorry you were slammed, most people in the blogs are not like this.  I understand the frustration and you were just venting.  I didn't see a personal attack in your blog, although the spitting would have been if you'd found the person. It's frustration over something you were not expecting and it's likely I would have felt the same way as many others would have.  Get the exam behind you and then if you're still angry about it then I would write a letter.  Good Luck.

No Grizelda, I wasn't a cheater too, I was a member of the National Honor Society who barely made it in because Math is tough for me. 

Grizelda:

I did my own homework and studied for my tests while in Highschool. I would never lower myself to cheating or copying on an exam. I slogged through my math classes and went to tutoring after school everyday so I could learn the material. I learned the material but I'm terrible at math and have trouble remembering all of the formulas and procedures for more complex problems. Like I said, I've had troubles with math my entire life. You don't know half of what I've been through because of this subject. I think earning my 60+ credits would imply that I have done the work required. My passing grades should be obvious that I did learn something. I did not just coast through the semesters. I worked hard and I did the work. But, evidently, that means absolutely zero. 

And I think you could benefit from this classic saying: "If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all." I don't appreciate being attacked in such an immature manner and for you to assume negative things about someone you don't even know is absolutely rude and inexcusable. 

Marsha:

First off, let me thank you for being nice.

I've actually been trying to get my AA since spring of 2004 (I graduated Highschool back in 2003) and have been having a hard time due to math. I had to take both beginning and intermediate algebra and pass both in order to move forward from there. As said, the subject is my greatest downfall but I made through with my final math class last fall and thought I was done. To be hit with this all of a sudden really is like a slap in the face. I'm tired and exhausted by the subject and I just want to be free of it. 

Anywho, CLAST stands for College Level Academic Skills Test. I equate it with the FCAT because it doesn't seem to have any true educational value behind it. The CLAST doesn't seem to be attached to any funding for the school. 

If I were faced with what you are I would look into some tutoring just for this test, a place like Sylvan or perhaps there are others out there, a search on the internet perhaps?  I know they can be sometimes costly money wise but if it gets you to your goal so you can get out there and use that degree to earn a living it could be a good investment. 

It's important to keep your eye on the prize to some degree.  Anger and resentment are draining and it can cause you to lose focus.  With that being said I am also a big believer in "having your say" it can not only be a matter of principle which should be stood up for (which is a personal decision) and it can also help direct that anger in a positive direction so you can move on.

Since you brought this into the blogs I am interested in hearing about how you do, or even the process of what you're going to do.  It could help another reader personally or with someone they know.  I hope you will come back and update us.

Bohemian:  I remember when my daughter was facing the CLAST.  It turned out to be not nearly as bad as she expected.  I wish you luck!!  I admire anyone who is furthering their education, and can understand your frustration and the need to vent.  I'd rather see that than someone putting you down.  I'm sorry that happened.

MeMaw

I will certainly keep you updated and say how I do. I'm glad I have three weeks left to study for it. And I do have a preparation book for the CLAST as well as some of my older math textbooks that I'll be using as well. So I think I'm covered with having enough study material. 

I just hope this ends up being a case where studying for it is more strenuous then the actual exam.  

The CLAST test is a requirement for graudation from a junior college in Florida.  The test does nothing but give the junior college bragging rites by collecting data from those taking the test.  It is sort of like the FCAT for high schoolers.  The FCAT is required for graduation, but other than giving schools grades (bragging rites) it does nothing to further the education of students.  Students may pass the FCAT, but yet fail to make gains needed to be making "progress" as defined in NCLB.  

There are exemptions from the CLAST test.  You can search FCCJ's website, and find out information as to whether you might exempt the test.  I was surprised to read that if you took the test and failed a component of it 4 times you could be exempted and get your degree.  Develop a test that students have to take, and then if they fail it 4 times, they don't have to take it again, and the scores are meaningless.  They don't give conditional degree stamped "Did not pass CLAST" on it do they? 

So, why hassle the student anyway?  It simply adds another year to the time that they can receive their degree.   What is so funny is that you can take the test after completing core components (classes), so if are worried about it, go ahead and take it 3 times before you are ready to graduate, and take it the 4th time before graduation, and graduate right on time because of the exemption.  Doesn't that sound absolutely insane!!!  That's your state government at work.  

So, why give the test in the first place.? 

Islander:

 Unfortunately I'm not exempt. The reason being that my ACT scores for Math weren't high enough. And I was not aware that if you fail it four times that they allow you to get your degree. That is an interesting bit of information and further proves my point that this exam is useless and wasteful. Writing the board of education about this is sounding better and better. Clearly it needs to be gotten rid of if this is what they do. The Florida school system is obviously in desperate need of some reworking.

I do sympathize with the anxiety you are experiencing. If someone told me I'd have to take another standardized test to keep my job, I'd probably seriously consider retirement.

The CLAST (College Level Academic Skills Test) is not a new exam, I took it in the University in (sigh) 1988. We had to pass it to go on to apply for our majors, so I'm fairly certain every college student in Florida has to take it (or have exemption with GPA  in affected courses) in order to get a degree. For a long time, every teacher who came to Florida from an out of state university had to pass it to get a teaching certificate -not sure if that's still true.

You may not recall over the years, but occasionally we have (excuse the stereotype, but these are the cases that get the publicity) athletes who pass every class and then it comes out that he/ she can't read. Lots of red faces and finger pointing all around follows. It is argued by some that it is really hard to prove that a student has done all of his/ her own assignments, or that some educators just plain don't do the teaching properly.

So proponents of (trumpet blast here)  "Accountability" have instituted tests like this in order to have the educators prove they have done what they say they did when they assigned their grades. Essentially they want the colleges to prove that the degrees are worth the paper on which they are printed. Interesting point about funding -- I don't know if it's true, but rest assured that if the colleges didn't have to administer them, they probably wouldn't. Look to the big building in Tallahassee for blame there.

So we have the FCAT, which replaced the HSCT (High School Competency Test) the CLAST, etc, as a result. I take it as a college literacy (or math literacy) test. Everything you learned in the courses you worked in so assiduously, you should look on as a big long prep class for this test. Bravo for you for being assertive enough to get help during classes; I'm sure you could still drop by the tutors for a refresher - unless you're desperate, save your money on Sylvan -- you pay for that tutoring with your tuition and fees. FCCJ also offers prep workshops, and I'm sure the others do as well. There may even be some websites dedicated to CLAST prep. They WANT high test scores for their students.

Breathe. Use your resources. You'll be fine.

And breathe again.

http://www.fccj.edu/resources/catalogs/2007_2008/degree_cert/aadegree.html#clast

That is the link where the 4 time reference is located...  Below is a cut and paste from near the end of the page 

This is right above the Alternative Exemption from the CLAST

"Provisions have been made for the College to consider waiver requests from students who have attempted and failed any portion of the CLAST at least four times." 

You might want to read the section on Alternative Exemption also.  Hope this helps give you an alternative plan for the CLAST.  I would certainly check into the 4 time section.