Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

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Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

• What Every Parent/Guardian Should Know

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A parent is a childs first teacher, and the home
is a childs first classroom.
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Did you know that what you do or dont do, say
or dont say,to your children, has an IMPACT on
their academic achievement?
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What is the purpose of this presentation?

• To provide parents/guardians
• with information on the Florida Comprehensive
  Assessment Test (FCAT) to ensure that
• No Parent or Guardian is Left Behind

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What is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
(FCAT)?

• The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to
  measure what they know and are able to accomplish
  in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science.

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What is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
(FCAT)?

• The FCAT SSS measures how well students are
  meeting the Sunshine State Standards in Reading,
  Writing, Mathematics, and Science.

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FCAT Details

• Scores relate to student performance on content
  in the Sunshine State Standard (SSS) benchmarks
• Measures achievement in Reading, Mathematics,
  Science Writing
• Reading and Mathematics assessed in Grades 3-10
• Writing assessed in Grades 4, 8, 10
• Science assessed in Grades 5, 8, 11
• Question types multiple-choice, gridded
  response, performance task items

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FCAT Details

• Mathematics measures a wide range of skills and
  problem solving methods.
• Reading measures vocabulary literacy skills.
• Writing measures knowledge of four writing
  elements focus, organization, support, and
  conventions.
• Science measures science concepts and scientific
  thinking.

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Who takes the FCAT?

• Students in grades 3-11

GRADES READING WRITING MATHEMATICS SCIENCE
3 X X
4 X X X
5 X X X
6 X X
7 X X
8 X X X X
9 X X
10 X X X
11 X
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What is the duration of the FCAT in minutes?
School Type Grade Reading Mathematics Science Writing
EL 3 120 120
EL 4 160 120 45
EL 5 120 160 120
MS 6 120 120
MS 7 120 120
MS 8 160 160 120 45
HS 9 120 120
HS 10 160 180 45
HS 11 150
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How many questions are on the FCAT?
School Type Grade Reading Mathematics Science Writing
EL 3 50-55 45-50
EL 4 50-55 45-50 1 prompt
EL 5 50-55 55-60 55-60
MS 6 50-55 50-55
MS 7 50-55 50-55
MS 8 50-55 55-60 55-60 1 prompt
HS 9 50-55 50-55
HS 10 50-55 55-60 1 prompt
HS 11 55-60
HS Retake 55-60 55-60
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What types of questions are in the FCAT?

• Multiple Choice (Reading, Mathematics Science)
• Performance Tasks (Short and Extended Response)
• Gridded Response (Mathematics Science)
• Essay Question (Writing)

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What types of questions are in the FCAT?

• Multiple Choice - Students choose one of four
  possible choices
• Reading, Mathematics, Science
• Grades 3 - 11
• 1 point each

Sample Reading Multiple Choice Question
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What types of questions are in the FCAT?

• Performance Tasks - Students answer Reading
  questions in their own words or show their
  solutions to Mathematics and Science questions
• Reading (Grades 4, 8, 10)
• Mathematics (Grades 5, 8, 10)
• Science (Grades 8, 11)
• Two types
• Short Response
• 2 points maximum
• Extended Response
• 4 points maximum

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What types of questions are in the FCAT?
Performance Tasks

• Sample Reading Short Response

Sample Reading Extended Response
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What types of questions are in the FCAT?

• Gridded Response Gridded-response questions
  require students to solve problems and "bubble,"
  or mark, their numerical answers on an answer
  grid.
• Mathematics (grades 5, 8, 10)
• Science (grades 8, 11)
• 1 point each

Sample Mathematics Gridded Response
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What types of questions are in the FCAT?

• Essay Question - requires students to write a
  response to an assigned topic (prompt)
• Writing
• Grades 4, 8, 10
• 6 points maximum

Grade 4 students respond to a prompt that asks
them to either explain (expository writing) or
tell a story (narrative writing). Grade 8 and 10
students respond to a prompt that asks them to
either explain (expository writing) or persuade
(persuasive writing).
Sample Narrative Writing Prompt
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How many questions, by type, are on the FCAT?
Elementary Elementary Elementary Elementary Elementary
Grade Reading Mathematics Science Writing
3 50-55 MC 45-50 MC
4 45-50 MC 5-7 SR ER 45-50 MC 1 prompt
5 50-55 MC 35-40 MC 10-15 GR 5-8 SR ER 45-55 MC 5-7 SR ER
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How many questions, by type, are on the FCAT?
Middle School Middle School Middle School Middle School Middle School
Grade Reading Mathematics Science Writing
6 50-55 MC 35-40 MC 10-15 GR
7 50-55 MC 35-40 MC 10-15 GR
8 45-50 MC 5-7 SR ER 30-35 MC 15-20 GR 5-8 SR ER 40-45 MC 3-6 GR 5-7 SR ER 1 prompt
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How many questions, by type, are on the FCAT?
High School High School High School High School High School
Grade Reading Mathematics Science Writing
9 50-55 MC 30-35 MC 15-20 GR
10 45-50 MC 5-7 SR ER 30-35 MC 15-20 GR 5-8 SR ER 1 prompt
11 40-45 MC 3-6 GR 5-7 SR ER
Retake 50-60 MC 25-35 MC 25-30 GR
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What are the cognitive complexity levels?

• FCAT questions have three levels of cognitive
  complexity
• Low - requires to solve a one step problem,
  recall, recognition, basic facts
• Moderate -requires more than simple recall,
• or to apply skills and concepts that are
  covered in low complexity.
• High - require analysis and synthesis of
  information, heavy demand on student thinking,
  abstract thinking and reasoning

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Example of Cognitive Complexity in FCAT Reading
Marias dog Spot almost knocked her down as she
entered the door. Maria quickly noticed that all
bowls were empty and she had forgotten to leave
food out. Spot could hardly wait for Maria to
fill the bowls as he hurriedly ate his food.
Later, Maria returned to the kitchen, she could
not help but notice the smile on Spots face as
he slept.
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Example of Cognitive Complexity in FCAT Reading
Low - What was the name of Marias
dog? (Read the Lines) Moderate - What was
Spots problem? (Read Between the Lines) High
- Why was Spot MOST LIKELY smiling in his
sleep? (Read Beyond the Lines)
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What are the FCAT achievement levels?

• FCAT Achievement Levels
• Describe the success a student has achieved on
  the Florida SSS Reading, Mathematics, and Science
  portion of the test
• Range from 1 to 5 with Level 1 the lowest and
  Level 5 the highest

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
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How do levels describe student achievement?

• Level 5 This student has success with the most
  challenging grade-level content of the Sunshine
  State Standards.

• Level 4 This student has success with the
  challenging grade-level content of the Sunshine
  State Standards.

• Level 3 This student has partial success with the
  challenging grade-level content of the Sunshine
  State Standards, but performance is inconsistent.

• Level 2 This student has limited success with the
  challenging grade-level content of the Sunshine
  State Standards.

• Level 1 This student has little success with the
  challenging grade-level content of the Sunshine
  State Standards.

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What are Developmental Scale Scores?

• Developmental Scale Scores (DSS)
• Range from 86 - 3008
• Are used to determine a students annual progress
  from grade to grade
• Are used in Reading and Mathematics

On the Student Report the Developmental Scale
Score is called the FCAT Score.
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FCAT Achievement Levels and Developmental Scores
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
3 86-1045 1046-1197 1198-1488 1489-1865 1866-2514
4 295-1314 1315-1455 1456-1689 1690-1964 1965-2638
5 474-1341 1342-1509 1510-1761 1762-2058 2059-2713
6 539-1449 1450-1621 1622-1859 1860-2125 2126-2758
7 671-1541 1542-1714 1715-1944 1945-2180 2181-2767
8 886-1695 1696-1881 1882-2072 2073-2281 2282-2790
9 772-1771 1772-1971 1972-2145 2146-2297 2298-2943
10 844-1851 1852-2067 2068-2218 2219-2310 2311-3008
Reading
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
3 375-1078 1079-1268 1269-1508 1509-1749 1750-2225
4 581-1276 1277-1443 1444-1657 1658-1862 1863-2330
5 569-1451 1452-1631 1632-1768 1769-1956 1957-2456
6 770-1553 1554-1691 1692-1859 1860-2018 2019-2492
7 958-1660 1661-1785 1786-1938 1939-2079 2080-2572
8 1025-1732 1733-1850 1851-1997 1998-2091 2092-2605
9 1238-1781 1782-1900 1901-2022 2023-2141 2142-2596
10 1068-1831 1832-1946 1947-2049 2050-2192 2193-2709
Mathematics
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What are Scale Scores?

• Scale Scores
• Range from 100 - 500
• Are used to determine a students FCAT Science
  result

On the Student Report the Score is called the
FCAT Score.
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What are Scale Scores?
Science
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
5 100 272 273 322 323 376 377 416 417 - 500
8 100 269 270 324 325 286 387 431 432 500
11 100 278 279 323 324 379 380 424 425 - 500
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What are Rubric Scores?

• Rubric Scores
• Range from unscorable to 6
• Are used to determine a students FCAT Writing
  prompt result

On the Student Report the Rubric Score is called
the FCAT Score.
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What are Rubric Scores?
Writing Rubric
Points Description
6 The writing is focused on the topic, has a logical organizational pattern (including a beginning, middle, conclusion, and transitional devices), and has ample development of the supporting ideas.
5 The writing is focused on the topic with adequate development of the supporting ideas.
4 The writing is generally focused on the topic and demonstrates a sense of completeness or wholeness.
3 The writing is generally focused on the topic, but may lack a sense of completeness or wholeness.
2 The writing may be slightly related to the topic.
1 The writing may only minimally address the topic.
unscorable The response is illegible.
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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Tests reflect the overall achievement of your
child. The more often the child is in a learning
situation, the more likely he/she will do well on
tests.

1. Make sure your child attends school regularly.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
A child who is afraid of failing is more likely
to make mistakes.

1. Encourage your child. Praise him/her for the
   things done well throughout the year.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.

1. See that your child has a balanced diet.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Homework supports classroom instruction and can
help your child increase his/her comprehension of
the classroom work.

1. See that your child completes homework
   assignments.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Parents and teachers should work together to
benefit the child.

1. Meet with you childs teacher(s) as often as
   possible to discuss your childs progress.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
School is not the only place where learning takes
place. You can help your child improve his/her
understanding of school work.

1. Ask your childs teacher(s) to suggest activities
   for you to do at home with your child.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Students need a time and a place to focus on
their homework.

1. Provide a scheduled time and a quiet, comfortable
   place for studying at home.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Children who are tired are less likely to pay
attention in class or to handle the demands of
classwork and tests.

1. Make sure your child is well rested on school
   days.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Too much emphasis on test scores can be upsetting
to children.

1. Try not to be overly anxious about test scores.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
It is your right to know which tests your child
will take and for what purpose.

1. Ask your childs principal and/or counselor to
   provide you with a schedule of testing for the
   year and explain the use of the tests.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Students need time to prepare for the days
lessons.

1. Make sure your child arrives to school on time.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Students should wear clothes that are comfortable
and appropriate for the weather.

1. See that your child is dressed comfortably.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Test performance also depends on listening to
directions and being able to read the test.

1. If your child wears a hearing aid or glasses,
   be sure he/she remembers to use them during all
   testing sessions.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?

• Your child may be entitled to
• receive extra time to complete the test
• assistance with translation
• be tested in a separate room
• visual magnification or
• other accommodations.

1. Make sure your child receives appropriate
   test-taking accommodations.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
It is the bodys fuel that gets you going in the
morning. Kids who eat breakfast do better in
school, are more likely to participate in
physical activities, and tend to eat healthier
overall.

1. Make sure that your child is well rested and has
   a healthy breakfast on the day of the test.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Worrying about tests may make a student forget
their chores and arguments may result.

1. Make sure that your child is not burdened with
   too many demands during testing time.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Test performance depends on thinking clearly and
focusing on the task at hand.

1. Make sure that you dont create additional school
   and non-school related pressures.  Students need
   to focus their energies on doing well on the
   test.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Preparation and organization help to have a
smooth day.

1. Make sure that the morning of the test is not
   rushed.  Help your child to organize everything
   he/she needs the night before the test, get up
   with plenty of time to have a good breakfast, and
   get to school on time.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Emotions are significantly related to student
motivation and academic achievement.

1. Make testing days happy days free of negative
   emotions.

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How can parents/guardians help students prepare
for the FCAT?
Testing is part of our educational system.
Talking about the test with your child can
relieve stress about test taking.

1. Keep a positive attitude about tests.

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Where can parents guardians find information
about FCAT?

• http//fcat.fldoe.org/fcatpub3.asp (click here)

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Where can parents guardians find information
about FCAT?

• http//fcat.fldoe.org/pdf/ufr_08.pdf (click here)

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Where can parents guardians find information
about FCAT?
http//www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/drea/pro_devel/inde
x_pro_devel.html (click here)
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Palm Beach County Learning Tools
Tools for Parents
Tools for Students
http//www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/learning_tools/
(click here)
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Remember

• Together we can help our students succeed!

Student achievement!