FCAT Explorer A School Presentation

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(No Transcript)
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From the Florida Department of Education
www.fcatexplorer.com
Science Mission Biology
Program Overview
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Science Mission Biology
Interactive practice program

• FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and
  benchmarks
• Reinforces important science concepts
• Available at no cost to all Florida public
  schools
• Accessible from any computer connected to the
  Internet

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Science Mission Biology
Fidelity with the Official FCAT

• Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine
  State Standards and DOEs Test Item and
  Performance Task Specifications

• Rigorous item development process

• Items drafted by science teachers and
  professional item writers
• Items reviewed by instructional designers,
  testing specialists, and professional editors

Multiple choice item in Physical/Chemical
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Science Mission Biology
Input from Exemplary Education Professionals

• Highly-qualified classroom teachers

• Recommended for expertise in subject area and
  grade level
• National Board Certified
• Members of the National Science Teachers
  Association and recipients of Presidential
  Teaching Awards
• Masters Degrees

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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice

• FCAT-like practice on all tested strands and
  benchmarks

• 168 FCAT-like practice items

• 147 Multiple Choice (MC)
• 8 Context Dependent (CD)

• 10 Short Response (SR)
• 3 Extended Response (ER)

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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice

• Same style, format, scope and cognitive level
  as the FCAT
• Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty

MC item in Earth and Space
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Science Mission Biology
Instructional Support
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Science Mission Biology
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Correct

• Congratulations!
• Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)

• Confirms the elements that make an answer correct
  
• Reinforces effective skill application

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Science Mission Biology
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Incorrect

• Includes hints to clarify the question without
  giving away the answer
• Immediate second chance to apply the skill
  correctly
• Interactive glossary to review key concepts

 
Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more
difficult science concepts.
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Science Mission Biology
Learning Guidance
2nd Attempt

• For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces
  accurate skill application

• For INCORRECT answer, the CAE

• Identifies correct answer
• Explains why the answer the student chose was
  incorrect

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Science Mission Biology
Practice Items
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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Multiple Choice (MC)

• Same formatting details as on the FCAT
• Same notation conventions as on the FCAT

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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Context Dependent Multiple Choice (CD)

• Students read a short passage
• Answer three multiple choice items based on
  passage content
• Students can review passage at any time

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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Short-Response (SR)

• Students are presented with two sample student
  responses and are asked to select the high
  scoring answer
• Reinforces writing skills by comparing two sample
  answers.

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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Open-Response (OR)

• Students compose original answers
• Read high-score sample response
• Read explanation of attributes that earn sample
  response a high score
• Compare students original composition to
  high-score sample response

OR in Physical/Chemical
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Science Mission Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Open-Response (OR)

• Students compose original answers
• Read high-score sample response
• Read explanation of attributes that earn sample
  response a high score
• Compare students original composition to
  high-score sample response

OR in Physical/Chemical
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Science Mission Biology
Special Features

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
Vocabulary Exercises

• Review key words associated with the benchmark
• Review definition and application of knowledge
• Exercise completion features definition matching

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
READ/INQIRE/EXPLAIN (RIE) ICON

• Available on SR, ER, and OR items
• Students click on the RIE icon to view rubric
• Students check items on rubric as they read
• Rubric helps students to identify elements
  included in high scoring answers

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
CHALLENGE LIST

• Links directly to items answered incorrectly
• Helps students focus on skill improvement

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
Animated Vocabulary Games

• Play one of three vocabulary games after
  completing a group of benchmarks
• Includes repetition of question for incorrect
  responses

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
Bonus Missions Review Lessons

• Students select from seven bonus missions to
  review key science skills
• 3 nature of science lessons
• How to Read the Periodic Table
• Plant and Animal Cells
• Active and Passive Transport
• Understanding Chemical Reactions

Bonus Mission menu
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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
GLOSSARY

• Linked (blue) words in first incorrect response
• Click speaker icon to hear word pronounced
• Definition
• Spanish and Haitian Creole translations

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
Reference Sheet

• From any item page, students can review important
  formulas for solving problems
• Based on actual FCAT reference sheet

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Science Mission Biology
Special Learning Features
Interactive Calculator

• Fully functional calculator
• Accessible from any item page

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Science Mission Biology
Educators Tools

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Science Mission Biology
Educators Tools

• Curriculum resources

• Table of Strands and Benchmarks
• Item Review
• Letter to Parents

Classroom Teachers Desk
School Administrators Desk

• Information management tools

• Sign-in names and passwords
• Progress Reports
• Messages to students

District Administrators Desk
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Science Mission Biology
Student Performance Reports
At The Classroom Teachers Desk

• Check progress on individuals or classes
• View science data by Benchmark or Strand
• Compare percentage correct before and after
  instructional support

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Science Mission Biology
The Parent Family Guide

• Accessible from the home page without a password
• Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
• Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand
  the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and
  the FCAT 2.0

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Science Mission Biology
Visit the Educator Resources Page

• Linked from the home page
• Download this PowerPoint presentation
• Download the School Administrators Desk Manual
• Download the Teachers Desk Manual

• Download other presentations

• Program-specific presentations

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Science Mission Biology
Toll-Free Help Desk

• Accessible from the home page without a password
• 1-888-750-FCAT 1-888-750-3228
• Weekdays 830 a.m. 430 p.m.

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Science Mission Biology
To get sign-in names and passwords

• School Principals Contact your District Office
  and speak to the FCAT Explorer District
  Administrator
• Teachers Contact your FCAT Explorer School
  Administrator

FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)
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Science Mission Biology
www.fcatexplorer.com
Log on to FCAT Explorer!