I have been reading for a few months now, the blogs upon this site where SM's describe their SD's as "Princesses" (likely of Entitlement). I had counted my lucky stars that my FSD didn't act like that.
Last night, the princess reared her very ugly head.

I had a conversation with SO about the FCAT and the kids scores last evening. He was under the impression from listening to skuttlebutt that the FCAT was going to be done away with, therefore was not important. I pointed out to him in the last two years they have introduced a science section, year one the score didn't "count" for graduation, year two it did. How if they are introducing new testing sections are they just going to do away with it?

Grades are in: Both made A/B honor roll for the forth quarter.

Sounds good right? Then we got the low down from their guidance councelors. They both failed the FCAT. Have to pass to get a HS Diploma, if they don't pass they get a certificate of attendence instead of a HSD.

For those not in Florida the test grades out at levels 1 thru 5. Kids must have a minimum of a level 3 in all areas, reading, math, science and writing.

FSD got a level 1 in reading.
FSS got a level 2 (LOW 2) in math.

I did not want this post to get lost in the 70+ responses to the orginal post of what makes a good step parent verses a bad one. However I would like to go through the original posting on a step by step basis.

A good stepparent genuinely loves his or her stepkids.