From the Florida Department of Education FCAT Explorer BRIEF OVERVIEW Florida Department of Educations FCAT Explorer

From the Florida Department of Education FCAT Explorer www.fcatexplorer.com

BRIEF OVERVIEW

Florida Department of Education’sFCAT Explorer


Interactive, benchmarks-based practice programs

Available at no cost to all Florida public schools

Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Students automatically enrolled

Includes Educator Resources and a Parent & Family Guide

FCAT Explorer


A student’s sign-in name and password provides access to all programs

Struggling students can experience success in easier programs and work their way up

Access to all programs


Practice Programs


Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks

Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks

Reading Factory: 6th Grade Benchmarks

Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks

Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks

Math Station: Elementary Mathematics

Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics

Math Timeline: High School Mathematics

MATH PROGRAMS READING PROGRAMS SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Science Station: Elementary Science

Science Voyager: Middle School Science

Science Mission: Biology



Reading, Math, and Science Practice

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

Practice items provide explicit reinforcement of the FCAT 2.0-tested benchmarks


Designed with the help of teachers and testing specialists

Graphics explicitly illustrate science and math concepts or reading content

Reading and math practice is set in the context of other subject area standards

Math Navigator: Middle School Science

Reading, Math, and Science Practice


Click linked (blue) words

Click ear icon to hear word pronounced

Spanish and Haitian Creole translations

Special Features

GLOSSARY

Links directly to incorrect items

Helps students focus on skill improvement

CHALLENGE LIST




Reading Practice

Same average length and readability level as on the FCAT

Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest

PASSAGES


Adaptive support model adjusts passage and instructional support level

Vocabulary exercises and activities teach potentially challenging words


3rd grade readability level:36 reading passages & 197 multiple-choice items

2nd grade readability level:36 reading passages & 197 multiple-choice items

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs



Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks

Pre-reading vocabulary exercises

Adaptive Support

32 reading passages

248 multiple-choice, short-, and extended-response items, plus a resource for open- response items



Reading Factory: 6th Grade Benchmarks

Adaptive Support

Instructional games reinforce vocabulary

27 reading passages

253 multiple-choice, short-, and open-response items




Main Idea Workshop

Adaptive support (grades 4 through 8)

Passage topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music

60 reading passages

285 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and open-response items




Includes a pre-test and post-test for those in 10th grade and above

Features 8 remedial reading comprehension lessons

23 reading passages

250 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and open-response items


Math Practice

Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest


Item topics drawn from other subject area standards

ScienceSocial StudiesThe ArtsHealth Education Physical Education


FCAT Explorer Math Programs

Math Station: Elementary Mathematics

Motivational instructional games reinforce math skills

Item topics drawn from areas of health, sports, history, and geography

162 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short-response questions




Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0

Item topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music

146 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short-response items




Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0

Timeline-themed navigation places items in a variety of historical periods

320 multiple-choice and gridded-response items

Math Machine includes 6 remedial lessons


Science Practice

Reviewed by teachers for difficulty level, age-appropriate content, and student interest


Updated content reflects the New Generation Sunshine State Standards used for FCAT 2.0


FCAT Explorer Science Programs


Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science concepts

Annually assessed benchmarks include context dependent items

200 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and context-dependent items


Science Voyager: Middle School Science

Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science concepts

Remedial lessons available

256 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-, and open-response items


Science Mission: Biology

Vocabulary exercises increase science fluency

Remedial lessons focusing on the nature of science

4 Mini Lessons review the periodic table, active and passive transport, plant and animal cells, and chemical reactions

168 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-, and open-response items


Instructional Support


1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT


Congratulations!

Correct Answer

Explanation (CAE)


Confirms the attributes

that make an answer

correct

Reinforces effective

skill application


Feedback and tools help student figure out correct answer

1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly

Common error feedback in math programs offers suggestions for how to think about the problem




2nd ATTEMPT

For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces effective skill application

For INCORRECT answer, CAE coaches student in figuring out right answer to similar questions in the future





Educators’ Tools


Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features

Create and/or edit class roll

Review progress reports on individuals or classes

Resource Center

View instructional games and modify token rates

Send messages to students

Skills Location MapTable of Benchmarks

and Skills Item Review


Check progress on individuals or classes

View math data by theme, strand, or benchmark

View science data by benchmark or strand.

View reading data by skill or passage

Compare percentage correct before and after Learning Guidance

Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features

Student Performance Reports


Access teacher and student password lists (available in text and spreadsheet formats)

Review, add, and edit student information

Review, add, and edit information about teachers and classes

Create student, class, or school reports

School Administrator’s Desk Features


Review school, teacher, and class information

Review monthly reports on student activity and performance by district or school

District Administrator’s Desk Features


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 programs, the New Generation Sunshine State Standards, and the FCAT 2.0


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 PowerPoints

Visit the Educator Resources Page


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


Log on to FCAT Explorer!

www.fcatexplorer.com

Documents

From the Florida Department of Education FCAT Explorer BRIEF OVERVIEW Florida Department of Educations FCAT Explorer