FCAT 2.0 and End of Course Assessments

Information for Parents & Families of Middle and High School Students

• Test given in grades 3 -10

• Based on Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) in reading, math, science, and writing

• School-wide FCAT results are used to determine a school’s annual grade

What is the FCAT 2.0?

Which FCAT 2.0 tests will my child take in Spring 2012?

6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Math

Reading

Science

Writing

How many questions are on each FCAT 2.0 Test?

6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Math 50-55 50-55 60-65

Reading 50-55 50-55 50-55 50-55 50-55

Science 60-66

Writing 1 prompt

1prompt

How much time is given for each FCAT 2.0 test?

Reading Math Science

6th 140 minutes *Computer Based

140 minutes

7th 140 minutes *Computer Based

140 minutes

8th 140 minutes 140 minutes 160 minutes

9th 140 minutes*Computer Based

10th 140 minutes*Computer Based

What topics are tested on the MathematicsMathematics FCAT 2.0?

Grade Topics

6th

• Fractions, Ratios, Proportional Relationships, and Statistics

• Expressions and Equations

• Geometry and Measurement

7th

• Number: Base 10

• Ratios and Proportional Measurement

• Geometry and Measurement

• Statistics and Probability

8th

• Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics

• Expressions, Equations, and Functions

• Geometry and Measurement

What topics are tested on the ReadingReading FCAT 2.0?

Students in grades 6 - 10 will be tested on: Vocabulary Reading Application Literary Analysis: Fiction and Non-Fiction Informational Text and Research Process

How long are the passages on the ReadingReading FCAT 2.0?

GradeNumber of words per passage

Range Average

6th 200 - 1100 700

7th 300 - 1100 700

8th 300 - 1200 700

9th 300 - 1400 900

10th 300 - 1500 1000

Eighth graders will be tested on: Physical and Chemical Science Earth and Space Science Life and Environmental Science Scientific Thinking

What topics are tested on the ScienceScience FCAT 2.0?

What types of prompts are given on the WritingWriting FCAT 2.0?

Grade Narrative(tell a story)

Expository(explain)

Persuasive(convince)

8th

10th

What are some examples of writingwriting prompts my 8th or 10th grader may be given?

Example of an expository prompt:Most people enjoy doing some activity.

Think about an activity you enjoy.Now explain what you enjoy about this activity.

Example of a persuasive prompt:A class plans to eat at a special place for a class celebration.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.

What format are the questions given in on the FCAT 2.0?

Subject Multiple Choice Gridded Response Written Response

Math 6, 7, 8 6, 7, 8

Reading 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Science 8

Writing 8 and 10

What does the student report look like?

What does the student report look like (cont.)?

How do I understand my child’s FCAT 2.0 results?

ReadingScale Score

Math Scale Score

AchievementLevel

6th 167 - 283 170 - 284 1-5

7th 171 - 289 179 - 292 1-5

8th 175 - 296 187 - 298 1-5

9th 178 – 302 n/a 1-5

10th 188 - 302 n/a 1-5

What does the FCAT 2.0 Achievement Level mean?

Level Success with Challenging Content of NGSSS Proficient?

1 Inadequate Level of Success NONO

2 Below Satisfactory Level of Success NONO

3 Satisfactory Level of Success YESYES

4 Above Satisfactory Level of Success YESYES

5 Mastery (including the most challenging questions) YESYES

FCAT 2.0 MathMath Scale Scores by Achievement Level by Grade Level

Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

6th 170 - 212 213 – 226 227 - 239 240 - 252 253 - 284

7th 179 - 219 220 – 233 234 - 247 248 - 260 261 - 292

8th 187 - 228 229 - 240 241 - 255 256 - 267 268 - 298

FCAT 2.0 Reading Scale Scores by Achievement Level by Grade Level

Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

6th 167 - 206 207 - 221 223 - 236 237 - 251 252 - 283

7th 171 - 212 213 - 227 228 - 242 243 - 257 258 - 289

8th 175 - 217 218 - 234 235 - 248 249 - 263 264 - 296

9th 178 - 221 222 - 239 240 - 252 253 - 267 268 - 302

10th 188 - 227 228 - 244 245 - 255 256 - 270 271 - 302

• Tests that measure student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for specific courses

• Created to increase student achievement and improve college and career readiness

• Given to students taking Algebra, Geometry, Biology and/or US History

What are the End of Course (EOC) Assessments?

Which End of Course (EOC) assessments will my child take in Spring 2013?

Students enrolled in the following courses will take the specified EOC exam: EOC exam

Algebra 1, Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra 1B, and Pre-AICE Mathematics 1 Algebra

Geometry , Geometry Honors, and Pre-AICE Mathematics 2 Geometry

Biology, Biology 1 Honors, Pre-AICE Biology, Biology Technology, Biology 1 Pre-IB,

Integrated Science 3, and Integrated Science 3 Honors

Biology

United States History, United States History Honors US History

How many questions are on each EOC Assessment?

Assessment Number of Questions

Algebra 55 - 65

Geometry 55 - 65

Biology 60 - 66

US History TBD Fall 2012

How much time is given for each EOC assessment?

Assessment Length of Time Given

Algebra 160 minutes

Geometry 160 minutes

Biology 160 minutes

US History TBD Fall 2012

What topics are tested on theAlgebraAlgebra and GeometryGeometry EOC Assessments?

EOCAssessment Topics

Algebra

• Functions, Linear Equations, and Inequalities

• Polynomials

• Rationals, Quadratics, and Discrete Mathematics

Geometry

• Two-Dimensional Geometry

• Three-Dimensional Geometry

• Trigonometry and Discrete Mathematics

What topics are tested on theBiologyBiology and US History US History EOC Assessments?

EOCAssessment Topics

Biology

• Molecular and Cellular Biology

• Classification, Heredity, and Evolution

• Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems

US History TBD Fall 2012

What format are the questions given in on the EOC assessments?

Subject Multiple Choice Fill-in Response

AlgebraGeometry

BiologyUS History

Note: The EOC assessments are computer-based tests.

How do I understand my child’s Algebra EOC results?

Algebra EOCAchievement

Level

Algebra EOCScale Score

1 325 - 374

2 375 - 398

3 399 - 424

4 425 - 436

5 437 - 475

How do I understand my child’s Geometry EOC results?

GeometryAchievement

Level

GeometryScale Score

1 TBD Fall 2012

2 TBD Fall 2012

3 TBD Fall 2012

4 TBD Fall 2012

5 TBD Fall 2012

How do I understand my child’s Biology EOC results?

BiologyAchievement

Level

BiologyScale Score

1 TBD Fall 2012

2 TBD Fall 2012

3 TBD Fall 2012

4 TBD Fall 2012

5 TBD Fall 2012

How do I understand my child’s US History EOC results?

• Scores will use a special scale known as a T- Scale that ranges from 20 - 80

• The score of 50 will be set at the state-wide average

• Individual score reports will indicate whether the students’ scores falls within the highest third, middle third, or bottom third levels

Together with other data, teachers use the information to:

• Make instructional decisions

•Plan individualized lessons

•Group students according to strengths/needs

How will teachers use the FCAT 2.0 and EOC scores to help my child?

How can I help my child?• Communicate with your child’s teacher; discuss strategies to

use at home; work together as a team

• Encourage your child to read; read with your child

• Take your child to the library regularly

• Ask your child to retell stories he or she has read

• Ask your child “why” questions about what he or she has read

• Ask your child to compare and contrast stories and characters

• Provide a quiet environment for your child to study and do homework

How can I help my child (cont.)?• Find ways for your child to practice writing at home, such as

by writing notes to family members.

• Provide regular encouragement to your child, especially when he or she has done well.

• Study math facts with your child

• Encourage your child to think and explain

• www.fcatexplorer.com (password required)

• www.myon.com (password required

• www.FLAssessments.com/ePAT

Keep a positive attitude toward the test.

Help your child relax.

Keep a normal routine at home.

Make sure that your child has a good night’s sleep.

Give your child a good breakfast.

How can I help my child right before the test?

•Hillsborough County Public Schools: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/

•HCPS Assessment & Accountability: http://aaaweb.mysdhc.org/assessment1

•FCAT Information from FLDOE: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/

•HCPS Parent/Family Resource Handbook: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/involvement/Documents/Resource_Guide/index.asp

Where can I get additional information?

A child's ideas about education and its

significance begin with the parent.