More FCAT 2.0 Results Released

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The Florida Department of Education has released more FCAT scores. The results are far less painful than the preliminary writing scores we saw earlier this week.

The state announced results for ninth and tenth grade FCAT 2.0 Reading and FCAT Writing. Results from test retakes were also included.

Some observations:

• 50 percent of students in grade 10 received passing scores performing at or above Achievement Level 3 on FCAT 2.0 Reading (a decline from 60 percent in 2011 when the passing score was set within Achievement level 2).
• 81 percent of students in grade 4 earned a score of 3.0 and above on FCAT Writing, compared to 78 percent in grade 8, and 84 percent in grade 10.

Here are some highlights from FCAT 2.0 Reading results for grades 9 and 10:

• In 2012, 52 percent of students were performing at or above Achievement Level 3 (Satisfactory).
• In 2012, 47 percent of Hispanic students were performing at or above Achievement Level 3.
• In 2012, 29 percent of students were performing at or above Achievement Level 4.

FCAT 2.0 is based on tougher standards in testing and grading. The test is more rigorous as the state transitions into the more demanding Common Core State Standards in 2015.

“We are asking more from our students and teachers than we ever have, and I am proud of their hard work,” said Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. “Florida’s higher standards help ensure students are learning what they are expected to know so that they are prepared for college, career, and life. As Florida transitions to higher standards and higher expectations, we can expect our assessment results to reflect those changes.”

Robinson will share more information about the scores later today.