FCAT Explorer. Math Timeline: High School Mathematics From the Florida Department of Education Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer

Math Timeline: High School Mathematics

From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com

Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

Interactive program offers practice on all benchmarks tested on the high school math FCAT

Available at no cost to all Florida public schools

Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Math Timeline: High School Benchmarks


FCAT Explorer

Fidelity with the Official FCAT

Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications

Rigorous item development process

Items drafted by reading teachers and professional item writers

Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors


FCAT Explorer

Input from Exemplary Education Professionals

Highly-qualified classroom teachers

Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level

National Board CertifiedRecipients of Teacher of

the Year awards Presidential Award

WinnersExperienced FCAT Coach Masters Degrees

TEACHER PIC HEREYO!


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

FCAT-like practice on all assessed benchmarks

320 FCAT-like practice items:

266 Multiple Choice

54 Gridded-Response

Two-page multiple-choice item


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Topics drawn from other subject areas standards

Science Social Studies The Arts Health Education Physical Education

Engaging graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both

Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context

Science

Geography


FCAT Explorer

Instructional Support


FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT


Congratulations!

Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)

Confirms the elements that make an answer correct

Reinforces effective skill application

CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems


FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

Hints for Success to clarify the question without giving away the answer

“Common error” feedback written specifically to correct common mistakes

Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly



FCAT Explorer

2nd ATTEMPT

For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application

For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:

Identifies correct answer

Helps student solve similar problems in the future

CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems



FCAT Explorer

Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

Students make calculations on paper, as needed

Type number, slash, or decimal point into the grid and bubble fills in automatically

Fractions not accepted until reduced to simplest form

Program demonstrates how to fill in corresponding bubbles correctly

GRIDDED-RESPONSE ITEM EXAMPLE

FCAT-like Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

Same formatting details as used for test items on the FCAT 2.0

Same mathematical notation conventions as used on the FCAT 2.0

When possible, incorrect answer choices represent “common errors”

MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEM EXAMPLE

FCAT-like Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

Special Features


FCAT Explorer

ENGAGING INTERFACE

Motivational Features

Student chooses freely among 5 Time Periods

Within each Time Period, student chooses among 4 Themes

After selecting a Theme, student begins working practice items

Sense of exploration engages curiosity

Student control increases motivation

Time Periods

Student clicks Start to begin practicing


FCAT Explorer

Optional Navigation by Strand


Student sees list of all items ranked from easiest to hardest.

Same historically rich context for each item

Student control increases motivation

Student selects a subject

Student clicks an item to begin practicing


FCAT Explorer


DETAILED ILLUSTRATIONS

Reinforce important concepts and information

Help pique curiosity

Help maintain attention & endurance

Help students perceive math as interesting and relevant


FCAT Explorer

Links directly to items answered incorrectly

Helps students focus on skill improvement

Displays corresponding strand

CHALLENGE LIST

Helpful Tools


FCAT Explorer

Offers five interactive lessons in Geometry and Spatial Sense

Includes review of basic geometry concepts and vocabulary

Offers increasingly difficult multiple choice practice items with detailed feedback

REMEDIAL LESSONS

Helpful Tools


Math Machine

FCAT Explorer

Provides real-world context for math concepts

REMEDIAL LESSONS

Helpful Tools


Math Machine

FCAT Explorer

Reviews vocabulary relevant to the benchmark

REMEDIAL LESSONS

Helpful Tools


Math Machine

FCAT Explorer

Features interactive activities to reinforce concepts

REMEDIAL LESSONS

Helpful Tools


Math Machine

FCAT Explorer

Provides practice multiple choice questions

Results can be accessed from the Teacher’s Desk

REMEDIAL LESSONS

Helpful Tools


Math Machine

FCAT Explorer

GLOSSARY

Click “ear” icon to hear word pronounced

Spelling and definition

Illustration, as appropriate

Helpful Tools


FCAT Explorer

Reference Sheet

Helpful Tools

Online formula

reference sheet with

same content as on

the FCAT 2.0

Online calculator

with same functions

as on the FCAT 2.0

Calculator


REFERENCE SHEET & CALCULATOR

FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools


FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools

Classroom Teacher’s Desk

District Administrator’s Desk

School Administrator’s Desk

Curriculum resources Item Review provides

a printable version of all Math Timeline items

Letter to Parents

Information

management tools

Sign-in names and passwords

Progress Reports

Messages to students


FCAT Explorer

Check progress on individuals or classes

View math data by Theme, Strand, or Benchmark

Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support

Student Performance Reports

At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk


FCAT Explorer

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 New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0


FCAT Explorer

Linked from the home page

Download this PowerPoint presentation

Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual

Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual

Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations

Download other presentations

Visit the Educator Resources Page


FCAT Explorer

Toll-Free Help Desk

Accessible from the home page without a password

1-888-750-FCAT

1-888-750-3228

Weekdays

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


FCAT Explorer

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)

To get sign-in names & passwords


FCAT Explorer

Log on to the FCAT Explorer!

www.fcatexplorer.com


Documents

FCAT Explorer. Math Timeline: High School Mathematics From the Florida Department of Education Program Overview