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Florida Comprehensive Assessment
of Test (FCAT) The Florida
Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is part of Florida’s
overall plan to increase student achievement by implementing
higher standards. FCAT Reading and Mathematics are given to
students in grades 3-10, FCAT Writing is given to students in
grades 4, 8 and 10 and FCAT Science is given to students in
grades 5, 8 and 11. Students’ performance is measured on
selected benchmarks that are defined by the Sunshine State
Standards (SSS). This section covers student performance on the
Mathematics and Reading FCAT only.
Levels of achievement range from Level 1
where the student has little success with the challenging
content of the Sunshine State Standards to Level 5 where the
student answers most of the test questions correctly, including
the most challenging questions. Click this
Achievement Level link
for achievement level definitions.
Mathematics
The percentage of Pinellas County students
showing problems on the mathematics FCAT for grades 3, 6 and 9
has decreased (improved) over the years, with 2008 showing the
best overall performance since testing began. The most dramatic
overall improvement occurred for grade 3 students. Although
there is substantial deterioration in performance between grades
3 to 6, by grade 9 that deterioration reverses somewhat. In
2008, 36% of 9th grade students had problems with the
mathematics FCAT.
Improvement on the mathematics FCAT has
also been experienced throughout the state. Pinellas’ grades 3
and 6 students have performed more favorably than the state and
other Florida counties of similar size and slightly less
favorably for grade 9 students. Detail comparative trends are
shown in the following charts for grades 3, 6 and 9.
Reading
The percentage of Pinellas County students
showing problems on the reading FCAT for grades 3, 6 and 9 also
improved over the years - a one-time statewide problem with the
3rd grade test in 2006 inflated 2006 scores and,
thus, distorted trends somewhat. However, a comparison by grade
level shows an increase in the percentage of students with
problems as grade level increases. In 2008, 52% of 9th
grade students demonstrated problems on the reading FCAT.
Improvement on the reading FCAT has been
experienced throughout the state with Pinellas students
generally performing well compared to the state and other
Florida counties of similar size. Detail comparative trends are
shown in the following charts for grades 3, 6 and 9.
FCAT
Achievement Levels
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Achievement
Level Policy Definitions |
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Level 5
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This student has success with the most challenging content
of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring
in Level 5 answers most of the test questions correctly,
including the most challenging questions. |
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Level 4
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This student has success with the challenging content of
the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in
Level 4 answers most of the test questions correctly, but
may have only some success with questions that reflect the
most challenging content. |
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Level 3
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This student has partial success with the challenging
content of the Sunshine State Standards, but
performance is inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3
answers many of the test questions correctly but is
generally less successful with questions that are the most
challenging. |
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Level 2
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This student has limited success with the challenging
content of the Sunshine State Standards. |
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Level 1
|
This student has little success with the challenging
content of the Sunshine State Standards. |
Source: Florida Department of Education
Funded Agencies:
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