School gives kids 'brain snack'

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- At least one teacher at a Florida elementary school says feeding a "special brain snack" to students preparing to take an exam is a "dirty trick."

Hagan Road Elementary School in Boynton Beach is feeding a "special brain snack," labeled the "FCAT power bar," to students preparing to take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and claiming the food -- an apple-flavored cereal bar -- "improves writing power," the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Robert De Gennaro, a teacher at the school and lead union representative, said the snacks are a "dirty trick" forced on teachers whose salaries are dependent on test scores.

"If you were given a choice between your salary and hoodwinking kids, which would you choose?" he said.

Broward School District testing chief Paul Houchens said the scheme is about promoting a healthy breakfast.

"It's a lot easier to test on a full stomach," he said.