BRIEF

1
Florida Department of Educations FCAT Explorer
BRIEF OVERVIEW
2
FCAT Explorer

• Interactive, benchmarks-based practice programs
• Available at no cost to all Florida public
  schools
• Accessible from any computer connected to the
  Internet
• Students automatically enrolled
• Includes Educator Resources and a Parent Family
  Guide

3
Access to all programs

• A students sign-in name and password provides
  access to all programs
• Struggling students can experience success in
  easier programs and work their way up

4
Practice Programs

5
MATH PROGRAMS
READING PROGRAMS
SCIENCE PROGRAMS

• Galactic Library 3rd Grade
  Benchmarks
• Reading Odyssey 4th Grade Benchmarks
• Reading Factory 6th Grade
  Benchmarks
• Reading Boardwalk 8th Grade Benchmarks
• Reading Timeline 10th Grade Benchmarks

• Math Station Elementary
  Mathematics
• Math Navigator Middle School
  Mathematics
• Math Timeline High School
  Mathematics

• Science Station Elementary Science
• Science Voyager Middle School Science
• Science Mission Biology

6
Reading, Math, and Science Practice

• Updated to the Next Generation Sunshine State
  Standards and the DOEs Test Item Performance
  Task Specifications
• Practice items provide explicit reinforcement of
  the FCAT 2.0-tested benchmarks

Reading Boardwalk 8th Grade Benchmarks
7
Reading, Math, and Science Practice

• Designed with the help of teachers and testing
  specialists
• Graphics explicitly illustrate science and math
  concepts or reading content
• Reading and math practice is set in the context
  of other subject area standards

Math Navigator Middle School Science
8
Special Features
GLOSSARY
Math Timeline High School Mathematics

• Click linked (blue) words
• Click ear icon to hear word pronounced
• Spanish and Haitian Creole translations

CHALLENGE LIST

• Links directly to incorrect items
• Helps students focus on skill improvement

Reading Timeline 10th Grade Benchmarks
9
Reading Practice
PASSAGES

• Same average length and readability level as on
  the FCAT
• Reviewed by teachers for readability level,
  age-appropriate content, and student interest

10
FCAT Explorer Reading Programs
Galactic Library 3rd Grade Benchmarks

• Adaptive support model adjusts passage and
  instructional support level
• Vocabulary exercises and activities teach
  potentially challenging words

• 3rd grade readability level36 reading passages
  197 multiple-choice items
• 2nd grade readability level36 reading passages
  197 multiple-choice items

11
FCAT Explorer Reading Programs
Reading Odyssey 4th Grade Benchmarks

• Pre-reading vocabulary exercises
• Adaptive Support
• 32 reading passages
• 248 multiple-choice, short-, and
  extended-response items, plus a resource
  for open- response items

12
FCAT Explorer Reading Programs
Reading Factory 6th Grade Benchmarks

• Adaptive Support
• Instructional games reinforce vocabulary
• 27 reading passages
• 253 multiple-choice, short-, and open-response
  items

13
FCAT Explorer Reading Programs
Reading Boardwalk 8th Grade Benchmarks

• Main Idea Workshop
• Adaptive support (grades 4 through 8)
• Passage topics drawn from areas of science,
  history, health, art, and music
• 60 reading passages
• 285 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and
  open-response items

14
FCAT Explorer Reading Programs
Reading Timeline 10th Grade Benchmarks

• Includes a pre-test and post-test for those in
  10th grade and above
• Features 8 remedial reading comprehension lessons
• 23 reading passages
• 250 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and
  open-response items

15
Math Practice

• Reviewed by teachers for readability level,
  age-appropriate content, and student interest

• Item topics drawn from other subject area
  standards

• Science
• Social Studies
• The Arts
• Health Education
• Physical Education

Math Navigator Middle School Mathematics
16
FCAT Explorer Math Programs
Math Station Elementary Mathematics

• Motivational instructional games reinforce math
  skills
• Item topics drawn from areas of health, sports,
  history, and geography
• 162 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short-response
  questions

17
FCAT Explorer Math Programs
Math Navigator Middle School Mathematics

• Includes a calculator and reference sheet with
  same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0
• Item topics drawn from areas of science, history,
  health, art, and music
• 146 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short-response
  items

18
FCAT Explorer Math Programs
Math Timeline High School Mathematics

• Includes a calculator and reference sheet with
  same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0
• Timeline-themed navigation places items in a
  variety of historical periods
• 320 multiple-choice and gridded-response items
• Math Machine includes 6 remedial lessons

19
Science Practice

• Reviewed by teachers for difficulty level,
  age-appropriate content, and student interest

• Updated content reflects the New Generation
  Sunshine State Standards used for FCAT 2.0

Science Station Elementary Science
20
FCAT Explorer Science Programs
Science Station Elementary Science

• Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science
  concepts
• Annually assessed benchmarks include context
  dependent items
• 200 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and
  context-dependent items

21
Science Voyager Middle School Science

• Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science
  concepts
• Remedial lessons available
• 256 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-,
  and open-response items

22
Science Mission Biology

• Vocabulary exercises increase science fluency
• Remedial lessons focusing on the nature of
  science
• 4 Mini Lessons review the periodic table, active
  and passive transport, plant and animal cells,
  and chemical reactions
• 168 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-,
  and open-response items

23
Instructional Support
24
Instructional Support
1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT

• Congratulations!
• Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)

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

Galactic Library 3rd Grade Benchmarks
25
Instructional Support
1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

• Feedback and tools help student figure out
  correct answer

• Common error feedback in math programs offers
  suggestions for how to think about the problem

• Immediate second chance to apply the skill
  correctly

Math Navigator Middle School Mathematics
26
Instructional Support
Reading Boardwalk 8th Grade Benchmarks
2nd ATTEMPT

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

• For INCORRECT answer, CAE coaches student in
  figuring out right answer to similar questions
  in the future

Math Timeline High School Mathematics
27
Educators Tools

28
Classroom Teachers Desk Features

• Create and/or edit class roll
• Review progress reports on individuals or classes
• Resource Center

• Skills Location Map
• Table of Benchmarks and Skills
• Item Review

• View instructional games and modify token rates
• Send messages to students

29
Classroom Teachers Desk Features
Student Performance Reports

• Check progress on individuals or classes
• View math data by theme, strand, or benchmark
• View science data by benchmark or strand.
• View reading data by skill or passage
• Compare percentage correct before and after
  Learning Guidance

30
School Administrators Desk Features

• Access teacher and student password lists
  (available in text and spreadsheet formats)
• Review, add, and edit student information
• Review, add, and edit information about teachers
  and classes
• Create student, class, or school reports

31
District Administrators Desk Features

• Review school, teacher, and class information
• Review monthly reports on student activity and
  performance by district or school

32
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 programs, the New Generation Sunshine State
  Standards, and the FCAT 2.0

33
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 PowerPoints

• Reading Focus Overview
• Math Focus Overview
• Program-specific presentations

34
To get sign-in names 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)
35
www.fcatexplorer.com
Log on to FCAT Explorer!