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Florida Comprehensive Assessment
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.
FCAT Achievement Levels
FCAT achievement levels are shown in the table
below. 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.
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Achievement Level Policy Definitions
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Level 5 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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Source: Florida Department of Education |
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Reading
The percentage of Pinellas County students at or
above level 3 on the reading FCAT for grades 3, 6 and 9 has
steadily improved over the years - a one-time statewide problem
in 2006 inflated 2006 scores and, thus, distorted the trends
somewhat.
- A comparison by grade level shows a significant decline in
the percentage of students achieving level 3 or above as grade
level increases. In 2009, 72% of 3rd grade students
achieved level 3 or above compared to 67% of 6th
graders and 48% of 9th grade students.
Improvement on the reading FCAT has been
experienced throughout Florida 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.
Mathematics
The percentage of Pinellas County students at or
above level 3 on the mathematics FCAT for grades 3, 6 and 9 has
steadily improved over the years. In 2009, only grade 9 students
continued strong upward progress.
- Note the substantial deterioration in FCAT performance
between grades 3 and 6, followed by improvements in
performance by grade 9.
Improvement on the mathematics FCAT has
also been experienced throughout the state. Detailed comparative
trends are shown in the following charts for grades 3, 6 and 9.
Read More About It:
2010 FCAT Scores
http://fcat.fldoe.org/mediapacket/2010/default.asp
Funded Agencies:
All Neighborhood Family Centers (NFC)
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