Elizabeth Fernandez isn't stressed out over the FCAT, the annual state exam given to Florida public school students in grades 3-12. Nor does she find the test particularly challenging, having nearly aced the reading, writing and math portions last year as an eighth-grader. But when Elizabeth's classmates sat down to take the exams this week, her seat was emply. Elizabeth stayed home. A small example of civil disobedience, she said, over a state testing program run amok.

"I just never saw the point," said Elizabeth, 15, a freshman on the honor roll at Mitchell High School in New Port Richey. "Two months ago we started reviewing for the FCAT, filling in little dots (in exam books). We were't learning anything." And so, with her parents' blessing, Elizabeth decided to sit out the FCAT.

She is not the first to put down her pencil to protest a standardized test. Students in Texas and Massachusetts have walked out of school on their test days. In Pasco three years ago, a Moon Lake mom held her son out of school during FCAT week. And last month, Pinellas County School Board member Mary Russell announced that her two children wouldn't take the test.

Too much rides on the test, Russell said: cash rewards, vouchers, diplomas. She wanted to make a point. Elizabeth said she hopes her point is made, too. "If enough students (boycott), maybe it will go away," Elizabeth said.

Pasco school superintendent John Long said he didn't approve, but he understands. "The FCAT can be stressful and parents have a ligitimate concern: over the importance of the scores, he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that (a boycott) would strike a cord with some parents." Still, Long said he has not heard of many students pulling a no-show.

Elizabeth's mom, Jody, is pursuing her doctorate in educaton at the University of South Florida. She said she didn't think that her daughter was letting her school and teachers down by staying home for much of this week. Mrs. Fernandez, who describes herself as a person with a social conscience, believes citizens should speak up when government errors - like when she protested in favor of women's rights in the 1970s.

"Just because (the test) is mandated, doesn't mean it's right," she said.

For Elizabeth, there doesn't appear to be that much at stake this year. She doesn't need an FCAT score to move on to the 10th grade, for example. Not having an FCAT score could conceivable land her in a remedial reading class, though.

"That would be pretty stupid," said Elizabeth, who carries a 4.25 grade pint average. But if she wants a Florida high school diploma, she's going to have to take and pass the test eventually. That's the law.

Mom says they will cross that bridge when they come to it. The family has options, she said. Or she could get her General Educational Development certificate and enroll directly in community college.

Mrs. Fernandez said. "If she doesn't want to ever take it, I'll support that stance."

And what does Elizabeth say, "I'm not taking it."