Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach Spring 2016

Parent Information Night

Agenda• What are the Florida Standards Assessments?– Subjects and Grades Assessed– Test Timing– Test Schedule– Test Design and Test Item Types– FCAT 2.0 Science– Score Information

• How are the FSA and Statewide Science Assessment used?

• Helpful Resources

What are the new Florida Standards?• The new Florida Standards were adopted in 2014 in

English/Language Arts and Mathematics to help prepare Florida students for success in college, career, and in life by emphasizing analytical thinking skills.

• The new test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests.

• New question types will assess students' higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

What are the Florida Standards Assessments (FSAs)?• Florida Standards Assessments were developed to measure

student success with the new Florida State Standards adopted in 2014 and implemented into instruction this school year

• What subjects are assessed with FSAs?– English Language Arts (ELA) - Grades 3-11 Reading and Listening and

Grades 4-11 Writing– Mathematics - Grades 3-8 – End of Course Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Biology

• Testing contractor - American Institutes for Research (AIR)

Are the tests timed? YES!

• Writing – Grades 4 and 8 Grades 4-7 PBT & Grade 8 CBT• 120 minutes (Break after 60 Min)

English Language Arts - Grades 3 - 5• Grades 3 - 5

160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) • Grades 6 - 8 160 minutes (2 – 85 minute sessions)• Tested over two days

• Mathematics – • Grades 3 - 5

160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) • Grades 6 - 8 160 minutes (3– 80 minute sessions)• Tested over two days

• Statewide Science Assessment Science – Grade 5• 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)• Tested over two days

NOTE: Students will be given short stretch/restroom breaks during sessions

When are the tests?

Paper-based Tests• Grades 3 ELA and 3 -4 Math

– Students will receive a Test and Answer Book for each subject• Grades 4 - 7 Writing

– Students will receive a Writing Planning Sheet and a Test and Answer Book• Transition to computer TBD

• Grade 5 & 8 Statewide Science Assessment– Students will receive a Test Book and an Answer Book

Computer-based Tests

• Grades 4–8 FSA ELA Reading Component• Grades 8 FSA ELA Writing Component• Grades 5–8 FSA Mathematics• Algebra 1 FSA End-of-Course (EOC)• Geometry FSA EOC• Algebra 2 FSA EOC• Biology EOC• Civics EOC

How is the FSA English Language Arts designed?

Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category

Depth of Knowledge*

*Depth of Knowledge refers to the complexity level of the cognitive process demanded by a test item rather than the difficulty of the item. Level 1 = Recall and Reproduction; Level 2 = Skills and Concepts; Level 3 = Strategic Thinking

Test Item Types• ELA Question Types:

– Multiple Choice: Select one answer – Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen– Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic– Open Response: 1-3 sentences (just enough to answer the

question and support it from the text)– Hot Text: highlights the sentence (computer-based)– Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)– Editing Task: make edits within the text (computer-based) – Listening Task: Student listens to audio file and answers

questions based on what they have heard (computer-based grades 5-11)

Test Item Types• Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

Test Item Types• Multiple-Choice with 2 Parts

Test Item Types• Open Response Questions

• Explain how the texts develop and treat the theme of freedom in the same way. Type your response in the space provided.

*1-3 sentences. Clear, concise and to the point - just enough to answer the question and support it from the text

Test Item Types• Multi-Select (computer-based)

Test Item Types• Editing Task (computer-based)

Test Item Types• Graphics (computer-based)• Place the characteristics that describe the narrator,

Cassie, or both in the diagram in the correct locations. – Sure– Reflective– Adventurous– Cautious– Determined– Biology career– Careless about friendship– Impressed by the ocean

– **Not all words need to be used!

Testing Tips• Listening Task (computer-based)

• Audio Script: • [Orientation Statement:] Listen to classmates

Samantha and Orlando prepare for a project. • SAMANTHA: I did some research online, and I

found rules for how to market to kids. I think they are a good starting point for our project, even though we can’t do all of them.

• ORLANDO: Okay, what did you find?• SAMANTHA: etc……

How is the FSA Mathematics designed?

Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each categoryDepth of Knowledge

Test Item Types• Math Question Types:– Multiple Choice: Select one answer – Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen– Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic– Open Response: type or click on numbers and symbols

create an answer– Hot Spot: creating items on graphs (computer-based)– Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)– Drag and Drop: drag numbers, symbols, etc., and place in

appropriate area to create an answer

Test Item Types• Multi-Select with 2 Parts/Drag and Drop

Test Item Types• Graphics (computer-based)

Test Item Types• Hot Spot (computer-based)

Test Item Types• Open Response Questions

Test Item Types• Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

• FSA Writing

How is the FSA Writing designed?

At elementary, the stimulus will consist of two to four texts, ranging from 800-1300 words each. Scoring rubrics for FSA Writing can be found on the FSA Portal.

Testing Tips• Writing Essay Responses

– Read the prompt and determine whether it is asking for information/explanation, or an opinion/argument

– Read the texts, looking for details to support information or opinion/argument

– Use the Planning Sheet to organize thoughts and details– Write and edit response. Make sure it contains:

• Clearly stated and strongly maintained idea or argument• Details from the passages to support idea or argument• Variety of sentence types and transitional strategies• Clear and effective expression and logical progression of ideas• Strong introduction and conclusion• Correct spelling and punctuation

• Grade 5 and 8 students will also take the Statewide Science Assessment

− Based upon the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State StandardsContent Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category

Percent of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level

How is the FCAT 2.0 Science designed?

Grade Nature of Science Earth and Space Science Physical Science Life Science

560-66 Multiple Choice 17% 29% 29% 25%

860-66 Multiple Choice 19% 27% 27% 27%

Helping Your Child• Test Preparation

– Help your child to realize that it is important to do his best every day, as well as on the FSA

– Review class and homework with your child– Help your child practice the skills they are learning in real-life

situations so that the skills have meaning beyond the tests and the classroom

– Help your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast

– Overemphasizing the tests can increase your child’s anxiety • Work with your child to help them learn how to handle anxiety

FSA Portal• The FSA Portal contains all published information regarding

FSA assessments, and released Training Tests• FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org• To access Training Tests:

1. Click on Students and Parents2. Click Training Tests

• Click on Training Test Guide for instructions on how to use the training tests

3. Click on Take the Training Test4. Click Sign In5. Select Student Grade and Click Yes6. Click on test you wish to take

Test Rules Acknowledgment• Test Rules Acknowledgment

– Students will be required to sign (paper tests) or agree to (computer test) the Test Rules Acknowledgment before taking any FSA assessment.• Test Rules read, “During the test, you must no talk to other students or

make any disturbance; look at another student’s test or computer screen; ask for help answering any test questions; give help to another student in answering test questions; have notes or scratch paper; have any electronic or recording devices in your possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them; fail to follow any other instructions given. After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to blogs or websites like Facebook or Twitter. If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.”

• Test Rules Acknowledgment reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score will be invalidated.”

Electronic Devices Reminder• No electronic devices permitted during testing– Students CANNOT have any electronic device (e.g., cell

phone, mp3 player, game system, etc.) on them OR within arm’s reach even if they do not use them

– Cause for immediate invalidation of test

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How are FSA Results Used?• FSA results provide teachers and schools with

additional information about each student’s proficiencies

• Results are used IN ADDITION TO teacher observations and coursework throughout the year in making determinations of student strengths and areas of opportunity

How are FSA Results Used?

• Grade 3 English Language Arts Scores– Students who score a Level 1 on English Language Arts

are required (by state law) to have further evaluation before being promoted to 4th grade

• Options for Students who Score at Level 1– ‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options

• SAT 10 test• Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency

– Decisions are made on an individual-student basis

How are FSA Results Used?

• Students who score at Levels 1 or 2 on the English Language Arts and/or Mathematics tests are required (by state law) to have intensive remedial assistance classes during the following school year– This intensive remediation must be different from previously

received instruction– Students in this category are progress-monitored to ensure

their success

Helpful Resources• Contact your child’s teacher and school administrator

– Florida Department of Education Web Site: http://www.fldoe.org – FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org – FCAT School Accountability Reports: http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org – Florida State Standards: http://www.cpalms.org/Public

• FSA General Info & Test Prep Videos• http://study.com/academy/topic/fsa-test-general-info-prep.html• FSA Test Times & # of Sessions• http://www.fsassessments.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Spring-2016

_Testing-Times-Chart.pdf• EOC Links• FLDOE EOC Info• 2014-2015 FLDOE EOC Fact Sheet• Test Prep 1 - CPALMS• Test Prep 2 - ePAT (retakes)

FSA Links FLDOE FSA Info2014-2015 FLDOE FSA Fact Sheet FLDOE FSA PortalFSA Practice TestsTest Prep - CPALMSFCAT 2.0 LinksFLDOE FCAT 2.0 Info2014-2015 FLDOE FCAT 2.0 Fact SheetTest Prep

Helpful Resources

Grade Level Location

3rd Cafeteria4th 1625th 1596th 1567th 1558th 149

 Middle school will rotate between the 149,155, and 156 by departments.  

Breakout sessions by grade level from 6:15 p.m.  until 7:00 p.m.

Thank You!