FCAT 2.0 NightMrs. Pepin and Mrs. CohenJanuary 30, 2014

The Elementary Vision

To provide graduating fifth grade students the firm foundational academic background they need to become successful independent learners in middle school.

The Elementary Experience

Elementary school is the beginning of a very long and rewarding educational process that will prepare your child for

success.

The Elementary Experience

You can help us on this journey by making sure that your child:

~ Gets plenty of sleep.~ Has a good breakfast, and lunch.~ Your child is exposed to reading in the

home.~ Has a pre-determined amount of time

dedicated to completing homework after school.

~ Work with your child daily.~ Practice their skills and facts.

The Elementary Experience

You can help us on this journey by making sure that your child:

~ Is in school on time…..all day…..everyday.

~ Has a dedicated place to complete homework.

~ Knows that his/her parents and teachers are working together as a team for his/her education.

~ Knows that education is the most important thing they can do for themselves right now!

FCAT 2.0

FCAT 2.0

The primary purpose of the FCAT 2.0 criterion-referenced tests is to assess student achievement of the high-order thinking skills represented in the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science.

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has fully transitioned from the FCAT to the FCAT 2.0 to align with the current student academic content standards. The FCAT 2.0 measures student achievement of the NGSSS in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. The transition began in 2011 with FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics, continued in 2012 with the administration of FCAT 2.0 Science, and is now complete with the administration of the Spring 2013 FCAT 2.0 Writing assessment.

FCAT Dates

April 14 and April 15 – FCAT 2.0 Reading

April 17 and April 18 – FCAT 2.0 Science

Computer based testing starts on April 28– FCAT 2.0 Math Computer based online testing – The

schedule will be given when we get closer to testing. Classes will be testing on different days.

 

Question Formats

• Selected-response questions appear at all grade levels on FCAT 2.0 Reading, Mathematics, and Science. Students choose the best answer from four answer choices.

• Gridded-response and fill-in response questions appear on FCAT 2.0 Mathematics assessments in grades 4-8. Students enter their answers on response grids or type their answers in answer boxes.

Achievement Levels

The Achievement Levels define the level of success a student has with the NGSSS on the FCAT 2.0 and Florida EOC Assessments.

Level 5 Students at this level demonstrate mastery of the most challenging content of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Level 4 Students at this level demonstrate an above satisfactory level of success with the challenging content of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Level 3 Students at this level demonstrate a satisfactory level of success with the challenging content of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Level 2 Students at this level demonstrate a below satisfactory level of success with the challenging content of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Level 1 Students at this level demonstrate an inadequate level of success with the challenging content of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

Purpose of Standards and FCAT

To increase depth, understanding, process skills, and proficiency

To lead to mastery of concepts and skills

understanding covering

Factors that Affect Test Performance

(Guthrie, 2002)

FCAT 2.0Reading

Reading FCAT 2.0 Categories

FCAT FCAT 2.0

Words and Phrases in Context

Vocabulary

Main Idea, Plot, and Purpose

Reading Application

Comparisons and Cause/Effect

Literary Analysis - Fiction & Nonfiction

Reference and Research

Informational Text - Research Process

FCAT vs. FCAT 2.0 (Reading)

The FCAT 2.0 Reading assessments in grades 3-10 will include a greater number of reading passages from the public domain, such as historical documents and works by classical authors.(e.g. Bill of Rights, Twain, etc.)

FCAT 2.0 tests will not have any performance task items ONLY multiple-choice items.

The FCAT 2.0 Reading assessments in grades 3-10 will include a greater number of test items that require reasonable inferences and reasonable prior knowledge.

FCAT Reading Content

Vocabulary ReadingApplication

Literary Analysis

InformationalText

Meaning of words in context

Main idea Use of comparisonAnd contrast

Organization &interpretation ofinformation

Word analysis Supporting details

Cause & effectrelationship

Chronological order

Similarities anddifferences amongcharacters, settingand events

Author’s purpose ina simple text plot

Development &conflict resolution

Types of Reading Text

Grade Literary Text Informational Text

3 60% 40%

4 50% 50%

5 50% 50%

Literary passages provide entertainment or inspiration and include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.

Informational passages are subject-matter centered and the language may be used to solve problems, raise questions, provide information, or present new ideas. The context of these passages includes everyday life outside of the classroom.

Literary Text Examples

Fiction• Short stories

• Poetry

• Historical fiction

• Fables

• Folk tales, tall tales

• Legends

• Myths

• Fantasy

• Drama

• Excerpts from longer works

Nonfiction•Biographical and autobiographical

•Diaries

•Memoirs

•Journals

•Letters

•Essays

•Critiques

Informational Text

Primary Sources/Nonfiction•Historical documents (e.g., Bill of Rights)•Essay (e.g., informational, persuasive, analytical, historical, scientific)•Letters, journals, diaries

Secondary Sources/Nonfiction•Magazine articles•Newspaper articles•Editorials•Encyclopedia articles

Functional Materials•Consumer documents(e.g., warranties, manuals, contracts, applications)•Embedded in text(e.g., tables, charts, maps, graphs, illustrations, photographs, captions, text boxes)•How-to articles•Brochures, fliers•Schedules•Website pages

Length of Passages

Grade Range of Number of Words per Text

Average Number of Words per Text

3 100-700 500 Previously 350

4 100-900 500 Previously 400

5 200-1000 600 Previously 450

Independent Reading (AR, home)Why is it important?

percentile rank(%)

Reading Minutes Per Day Words Read Per Year

98 65.0 4,358,000

90 21.2 1,823,000

80 14.2 1,146,000

70 9.6 622,000

50 4.6 282,000

40 3.2 200,000

30 1.3 106,000

20 0.7 21,000

10 0.1 8,000

2 0.0 0Adapted from Anderson, Wilson, Fielding, 1988

Reading Examples

Sample test books are posted at this website: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/fcatitem.asp

FCAT 2.0Math

FCAT vs. FCAT 2.0 (Math)

Fewer benchmarks per grade level.Benchmarks are grade level specific.Depth, length, and rigor have been increased.

The process is as important as the answer.

No more short and long response.The test will be all online for math.

Examples of NGSSS ChangesBenchmark Sunshine State

StandardNew GenerationSunshine State Standard

M.A.KG.2.3Identify, name, sort 3Dshapes such as spheres ,cubes, cylinders

3rd Grade Kindergarten

M.A.3.A.4.1Create, analyze andrepresent patterns andrelationships usingwords, variables, tablesand graphs

5th Grade 3rd Grade

M.A.5.A.6.3Describe real worldsituations using positiveand negative numbers

6th Grade 5th Grade

FCAT 2.0 Mathematics Reporting Categories

Grade Category Percentage

3 Number, Operations, Problem and Statistics Geometry and Measurement Number: Fractions

503020

4 Number, Operations, Problem and Statistics Geometry and Measurement Number: Fractions

453025

5 Number, Operations, Problem and StatisticsGeometry and Measurement Number: Fractions

503020

Math Examples

Sample test books are posted at this website: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/fcatitem.asp

FCAT 2.0Science

Science FCAT

Vocabulary knowledge is essential. Students must have a concrete

understanding of the scientific method. Students must know how to read graphs,

charts, data, and diagrams. Student must apply knowledge of science

concepts taught throughout K-5. The next slide shows all of the vocabulary

words from grade K-5 that will appear on the 5th grade FCAT 2.0 Science test.

Science FCAT

Science FCAT

Science Examples

Sample test books are posted at this website: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatitem.asp

Additional helpful Science websites: www.fcatexplorer.com www.thinkcentral.com (for additional

reading of Science content) www.brainpop.com

FCAT 2.0

Tips & Resources

What can kids do?Clues For Performing Well on the FCAT

Learn how to answer each type of question. For multiple choice questions, read each

question carefully and think about the answer from the choices provided.

Answer questions you are sure about first. If a question seems too hard, skip it and go back to that question later.

There is no penalty for guesses. Therefore, it is best to try to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answer.

What can kids do?Clues For Performing Well on the FCAT

Think positively. Some questions may seem hard,

but you may be able to figure out how to respond ifyou read the question carefully a second time. Be sure to completely fill in the answer

bubbles inyour test book or answer document. Do not makeany stray marks around the answer spaces. Check to make sure the test question

numbermatches the answer choice number on the answersheet.

What can parents do?

Ensure students:• Read extensively to build text knowledge and

fluency• Read for longer periods of time• Read longer texts• Read texts that are linked to the curriculum• Build background knowledge and vocabulary• Read self-selected texts related to the content unit

being studied• Encourage children to work on FCAT Explorer.

What can parents do?

• Include your child in real world math situations.

• Assist student with math homework.• Use www.thinkcentral.com resources for background knowledge and tutorials.

• Go on Reading Plus daily to practice reading skills.

• Continue to reinforce basic math facts.

What can parents do?

When talking with your child, ask for details. Examples: What were you doing? What were you thinking? What were you feeling? What were other people doing? Describe the scene.

Journaling with your- child write notes back and forth.

Please show interest and point out any improvements on writing that comes home.

Share any writing you do with your child. Tell them what you think about or do if you “get writer’s block.”

Reading and writing go hand in hand . As reading improves, writing follows. Read with your child.

FCAT 2.0 Resources

All FCAT material can be accessed here: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatpub2.asp

FCAT 2.0 Test Item Specifications are here: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatis01.asp

Sample test books are posted at this website: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatsmpl.asp

FCAT Explorer: www.fcatexplorer.comGreat reading Practice: Reading Plus www.readingplus.com

FCAT 2.0Thank You