Slide 1 It's proven that increased parental involvement in a student's education results in increased student achievement. Slide 3 The original FCAT test was based on Sunshine State standards. The new FCAT 2.0 is a more challenging test Slide 4 Prior knowledge & experiences: i.e. in math, student learned basic shapes in Kindergarten, but in third grade s/he may be asked to find the perimeter of those shapes using properties learned in Kindergarten. Vocabulary: In all content areas the students will need to use vocabulary such as compare, contrast, concept word that should be part of their daily activities. First, middle, last, increasing, decreasing, and adjectives that describe. Inference: Water is boiling so it must be hot, the front of the book has a picture of the ocean..book must be about the ocean. Compare/Contrast: Be able to identify things that are the same and different. For example between 2 passages or 2 geometric shapes. Slide 5 End of Course exams are given at the end of each course, regardless of whether they are in middle or high school. Slide 7 While the quantity stays relatively the same the difficulty increases. Slide 8 In high school math and science credit courses, EOC exams will be given instead of FCAT. Slide 9 Most of these tests over 1 hour in duration are given over a 2 day span. Slide 10 You may see a topic repeated in more than one year… The subtopics are different and if a student misses a lot of school during a year they will miss a topic that is covered during that year and is not taught again and used as a building block for a higher skill. Slide 11 These topics and their data can be obtained in the parent report and on school system data sources. Slide 12 While these science skills are tested in grades 5 and 8 – the skills are taught beginning in kindergarten. Slide 18 even if student stays at the same level , they may have made a lot of growth. Achievement Level Descriptions (ALDs) outline the specific student expectations at each grade and subject for each of the five Achievement Levels. ALDs available at http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/alds.asp Slide 19 Most important score of the three for parents to look at because it shows growth. Look at the DSS scores between the previous and current year to determine growth. Slide 20 Scale score will be reported on the parent report, but not as useful as the achievement level and developmental scale scores. Scale scores are developed first, then the DSS were developed to examine growth from one grade to the next. Slide 21 Teachers DO NOT only use FCAT data when planning and evaluating students. It is just one piece of info Slide 23 Varies by district

1. FCAT 2.0
Information for Parents and Families

2. Objectives
We will answer the following questions for you…
• What is the FCAT 2.0?
•When will FCAT testing take place?
• How do I understand my child’s test results?
• How do teachers use the test results?
• How can I use the test results?
• What does the school district offer to help my child
improve?

3. What is the FCAT 2.0?
• Test given in grades 3 -10
• Based on Next Generation Sunshine State
Standards in reading, math, science and
writing
• Similar to FCAT 1.0 except based on new
standards

4. What will students be asked to do?
• Use prior knowledge/experience
• Understand age/subject appropriate
vocabulary
• Make inferences
• Compare similarities and differences

5. Type of
Assessment Assessment Area
Year Administered to Students
2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
FCAT
FCAT Writing
Gr 4, 8, 10 Gr 4, 8, 10 Gr 4, 8, 10 Gr 4, 8, 10
FCAT Science
Gr 5, 8, 11
FCAT Reading
FCAT Mathematics
Gr 10
FCAT 2.0
FCAT 2.0 Reading
Gr 3-10 Gr 3-10 Gr 3-10 Gr 3-10
FCAT 2.0 Mathematics
Gr 3-8 Gr 3-8 Gr 3-8 Gr 3-8
FCAT 2.0 Science
Gr 5, 8 Gr 5, 8 Gr 5, 8
End-of-Course
Assessments
Algebra 1
High School High School High School High School
Geometry
High School High School High School
Biology 1
High School High School High School
US History
High School High School
Civics
Middle
School

6. When will FCAT testing take
place?
Feb 28 – Mar 1 Grades 4, 8 , & 10 FCAT Writing
April 9 – 20 Grades 11- Adult Retakes
FCAT Reading & Math
FCAT Reading 2.0
April 16 – 27 Grades 3 – 10
Grades 3 – 8
Grades 5 and 8
FCAT 2.0 Reading
FCAT 2.0 Math
FCAT 2.0 Science

7. How many questions are on the
tests?
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th
Math 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 60 - 65
Reading 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55 50 - 55
Science 60 - 65 60 - 65
Writing 1
prompt
1
prompt
1
prompt

8. Which FCAT 2.0 tests will my child
take in Spring 2012?
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th
Math
Reading
Science
Writing

9. How much time is given for each
test?
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th
Math 140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
Reading 140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
140
minutes
Science 160
minutes
160
minutes
Writing 45
minutes
45
minutes
45
minutes
* Some subject areas may have two sessions of testing given on two separate
days.

10. What topics are tested on the
Mathematics FCAT 2.0?
Grade Topics
3rd Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics, Geometry and
Measurement,
Number: Fractions
4th Number: Operations and Problems, Geometry and Measurement,
Number: Base 10 and Fractions
5th Number: Base 10 and Fractions, Geometry and Measurement,
Expressions, Equations, and Statistics
6th Fractions, Ratios, Proportional Relationships, and Statistics
Geometry and Measurement, Expressions and Equations
7th Geometry and Measurement, Ratios and Proportional Relationships,
Number: Base Ten, Statistics and Probability
8th Expressions, Equations, and Functions, Geometry and Measurement,
Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics

11. What topics are tested on the
Reading FCAT 2.0?
Students in grades 3 - 10 will be tested on:
• Vocabulary
• Reading Application
• Literary Analysis: Fiction and Non-Fiction
• Informational Text and Research Process

12. What topics are tested on the
Science FCAT 2.0?
Students in grades 5 and 8 will be tested on:
• Physical and Chemical Science
• Earth and Space Science
• Life and Environmental Science
• Scientific Thinking

13. What types of prompts are given on
the FCAT Writing test?
Grade Narrative
(tell a story)
Expository
(explain)
Persuasive
(convince)
4th
8th
10th

14. What are some examples of writing
prompts my 4th
grader may be given?
Example of an expository prompt:
Sometimes animals help us.
Think about how animals can help us.
Now explain how animals can help us.
Example of a narrative prompt:
Everyone likes getting good news.
Think about a time you got good news.
Now write a story about a time you got good news.

15. What are some examples of writing prompts my
8th
or 10th
grader may be given?
Example of an expository prompt:
Writing Situation:
Most people enjoy doing some activity.
Directions for Writing:
Think about an activity you enjoy.
Now explain what you enjoy about this activity.
Example of a persuasive prompt:
Writing Situation:
A class plans to eat at a special place for a class celebration.
Directions for Writing:
Think about where the class should eat for the celebration.
Now write to convince the class why the celebration should be
held at the place you think is best.

16. What format are the questions
given in?
Subject Multiple Choice Gridded Response Written Response
Math 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Reading 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10
Science 5, 8 8
Writing 4, 8, 10

17. How do I understand my child’s
FCAT 2.0 results?
Achievement
Level
Developmental
Scale Score
Scale
Score
Reading 1-5 140 - 302 NA
Math 1-5 140 – 298 NA
Science 1-5 NA 100 – 500
Writing Essay Score
1-6
NA NA

18. What does the Achievement Level
tell me about my child?
Level Success with Challenging Content of
Next Generation State Standards
Proficient?
5 Mastery of the most challenging content yes
4 Above satisfactory level of success yes
3 Satisfactory level of success yes
2 Below satisfactory level of success no
1 Inadequate level of success no

19. What does the Developmental
Scale Score tell me about my
child?
• Ranges:
•140 – 302 for FCAT 2.0 Reading
•140 – 298 for FCAT 2.0 Mathematics
• Shows growth from one year to the next
• Look for a yearly increase

20. What does the Scale Score for Science
tell me about my child?
• Ranges from 100 to 500
• 100 is the lowest score possible
• 500 is the highest score possible

21. How will teachers use the FCAT 2.0
scores to help my child?
Together with other data, teachers use the
information to:
• Plan individualized lessons
• Make instructional decisions
• Group students according to strengths/needs

22. How can I use test results to help
my child improve?
Meet often with your child’s teacher to discuss
strategies to use at home such as:
• Reading with them
• Studying math facts with them
• Providing a quiet environment for them to
study and do homework
•Making education a priority in your home

23. What programs does the school
district offer that may help my child?
• After-school tutoring
• Mentor programs
• Homework hotline

24. How do I obtain my child’s
FCAT 2.0 results?
FCAT test scores can be picked up at your child’s
school.
Results can be obtained during the summer and
at the beginning of school year.

25. Where can I get additional information
about helping my child at home?
•www.fcatexplorer.com (password required
– Check with your student’s teacher.)
•www.justreadflorida.com
•www.fcrr.org

26. If you have any questions…
• Contact your child’s teacher or guidance
counselor.

27. Thank you for your
participation!