FCAT 2.0 Reading and Math Scores Explained

Including Algebra 1 EOC

On December 19th 2011, new scales and achievement level cut scores were adopted by the Florida Board of Education.

Cut scores will impact current 10th grade students who will take FCAT 2.0 Reading and Math in April 2012.

Current high school sophomores will be required to attain an achievement level 3 on FCAT 2.0 Reading and Math assessment in order to fulfill graduation requirements.

FCAT 2.0 Achievement Level Cut Scores

FCAT 2.0 Reading Achievement Levels (Grades 3-10)

Scores are to be reported in only two ways• As developmental scale scores which differ by grade level• One of five achievement levels

FCAT Reading vs FCAT 2.0 Achievement Levels

2010 Achievement Levels

2011+Achievement Levels

• Scale score range from 100 to 500

• Large range within achievement levels (Gr3 level 1: 100-258 = 158-point range)

• All levels based on same scale (100-500 for grades 3-10)

• Developmental scale score range differs by grade level • Small range within achievement levels (Gr3 level 1: 140-181; 41-point range) • All levels based on different scale at each grade level

Percent of Florida students in each Achievement Level for 2011

Achievement Level Percent Comparison:

2010

72% of 3rd grade students scored Level 3 or above

2011(new achievement levels)

57% of 3rd grade students scored Level 3 or above

The minimum score for a current tenth grade student to “PASS” FCAT 2.0 Reading is:

245 (Level 3). While this seems like a lower overall number, the scale is much narrower. The band width in Level 3 is only 10 scale score points. (245-255)

All current 10th grade students are required to attain a LEVEL 3 to meet graduation requirements.

Impact on 10th Graders

Most retakes are Computer-Based Tests (CBT) Current 12th grade retake students will take the

FCAT Reading assessment. They will need a minimum score of 300 to meet graduation requirements. (DSS of 1926)

Current 11th grade retake students will take the FCAT 2.0 Reading assessment. The passing score will be the same passing score they were required to attain when they took the assessment as 10th graders, a matched scale score of 300.

11th and 12th Grade Retakes

Third grade students must attain a minimum score of 182 (Level 2) in order to be promoted to 4th Grade.

While this seems like a lower overall number, the scale is narrower. The band within Level 2 is only 15 developmental scale score points. (182-197) In past years, the scale was from 100-500 (Range of 400

scale points). The current scale for 3rd grade is 140-260 (Range of 120

developmental scale score points).

Only third grade students who score at Level 1 are required to be retained if they are not granted a good cause exemption.

FCAT 2.0 Reading 3rd Grade Promotion

FCAT 2.0 MathAchievement Levels (Grades 3-8)

FCAT Math 2.0 Scale Scores2010 Scale Scores 2011 Developmental

Scale Scores

Algebra I EOC

***Students entering 9th grade in the 2011-2012 school year must achieve a Level 3 (minimum score of 399) on the Algebra 1 EOC in order to meet their graduation requirement. (This also applies to current 8th grade students taking Algebra I in middle school).

Percent of 2011 Florida students in each Achievement Level

Students entering 9th grade in 2011-2012 must take the Geometry EOC which will count 30% of their grade. They must pass the course to meet their graduation requirement. ◦ For 2011-2012 scores will be reported by the use

of scaled scores and achievement levels defined by the baseline assessment.

Students entering 9th grade in 2012-2013 must achieve a passing score on the EOC to meet their graduation requirement.

Geometry End of Course Exam

For 2011-2012 scores on the FCAT 2.0 Science shall be reported by the use of scaled scores and achievement levels defined by the baseline assessment.

FCAT Science 2.0: (Grades 5 and 8)

Students entering 9th grade in 2011-2012 must take the Biology EOC which will count 30% of their grade. They must pass the course to meet their graduation requirement. ◦ For 2011-2012 scores will be reported by the use

of scaled scores and achievement levels defined by the baseline assessment.

Students entering 9th grade in 2012-2013 must achieve a passing score on the Biology EOC to meet their graduation requirement.

Biology End of Course Exam

Read the Approval of the Amendment to the State Board Rule found at http://www.fldoe.org/board/meetings/2011_12_19/109422.pdf (This will open on your desktop)

For Additional Information