What are the tests students take and why do they take them?

STATE REQUIRED TESTS

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)

The FCAT is part of Florida's overall plan to increase student achievement and hold schools accountable by implementing higher standards for public school students. These tests address a student's ability to display higher-level thinking and perform complex problem solving. They measure the Sunshine State Standards, a statewide consensus of what Floridians believe their children should know and be able to do as they develop and learn.

All students must take the FCAT. The only exceptions are those special needs students whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) exempts them. They must then be given a local, alternate test to measure their annual learning growth

During the winter months, students throughout Florida are given the FCAT, which consists of three sections:

February -- One day of testing

Writing -- grades 4, 8, 10

March -- Four days of testing, including

1. Reading and Math; grades 3-10

2.Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) in reading and math -- grades 3-10

FCAT Writing

All students are required to produce a piece of writing within established guidelines. Each student receives a writing folder containing one writing prompt (topic). They are given 45 minutes to read the prompt independently, plan and write their response. The student responses are scored by trained readers who evaluate the writing on its overall quality. FCAT Reading and Math Sunshine State Standards FCAT measures student progress toward achieving the Sunshine State Standards in grades 3-10 and is now used as a graduation requirement for students testing in 10th grade. The test questions require students to be creative and critical thinkers. All tests include multiple choice questions. Some grade levels are also required to answer short and extended response questions where students show and explain their work. The amount of time a student has to answer questions varies with each section and grade level.  

FCAT Norm-Referenced Test

The purpose of norm-referenced testing is to be able to compare student, school, district and state performance to others across the nation. The state administers the Reading Comprehension and Math Problem Solving sections of Stanford 9 as its norm-referenced testing program. The questions are all multiple choice and the timed sections vary in length. In Sarasota County, students in first and second grades also take the Stanford 9. This provides parents and teachers with a continuous record of a child's progress from grades 1-10. Teachers must use a variety of techniques to identify each child's skills and knowledge. The school district provides several diagnostic tools to help teachers determine where to begin instruction in the fall in order to meet the learning needs of the students in the class. These diagnostic tests can also be used in the Spring to help assess the students' mastery of the curriculum. In addition, since test-taking strategies are needed throughout our lives, these same tools help students learn and improve their testing skills. Teachers and principals may decide which tools to use based on what they already know about a child's ability. Schools may choose:

Classroom Assessment

Teachers regularly assess student performance in the classroom through tests, as well as observation, essays, reports, projects and presentations. In order to support the student's learning, it is important to share the child's progress with his or her parents or guardians. Effective teachers frequently assess student performance throughout the school year and then adjust instruction in order that the student can continue to learn at his/her appropriate level and pace. Parents/guardians should also monitor their child's progress through these assessments.