fcat explorer. science mission: biology from the florida department of education program overview

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer

Science Mission: Biology

From the Florida Department of Education

www.fcatexplorer.com

Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and benchmarks

Reinforces important science concepts

Available at no cost to all Florida public schools

Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Interactive practice program


FCAT Explorer

Fidelity with the Official FCAT

Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and DOE’s Test Item and Performance Task Specifications

Rigorous item development process

Items drafted by science teachers and professional item writers

Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, and professional editors

Multiple choice item in Physical/Chemical


FCAT Explorer

Input from Exemplary Education Professionals

Highly-qualified classroom teachers

Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level

National Board Certified

Members of the National Science Teachers Association and recipients of Presidential Teaching Awards

Masters Degrees


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

FCAT-like practice on all tested strands and benchmarks

168 FCAT-like practice items

147 Multiple Choice (MC)

8 Context Dependent (CD)

10 Short Response (SR)

3 Extended Response (ER)


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Same style, format, scope and cognitive level as the FCAT

Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty

MC item in Earth and Space


FCAT Explorer

Instructional Support


FCAT Explorer

1ST Attempt Correct

Learning Guidance

Congratulations!

Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)

Confirms the elements that make an answer correct

Reinforces effective skill application


FCAT Explorer

1ST Attempt Incorrect

Learning Guidance

Includes hints to clarify the question without giving away the answer

Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly

Interactive glossary to review key concepts

Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more difficult science concepts.


FCAT Explorer

2nd Attempt

For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces accurate skill application

For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:

Learning Guidance

Identifies correct answer

Explains why the answer the student chose was incorrect


FCAT Explorer

Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice Items

Same formatting details as on the FCAT

Same notation conventions as on the FCAT

Multiple Choice (MC)


FCAT Explorer


Context Dependent Multiple Choice (CD)

Students read a short passage

Answer three multiple choice items based on passage content

Students can review passage at any time


FCAT Explorer

Students are presented with two sample student responses and are asked to select the high scoring answer

Reinforces writing skills by comparing two sample answers.

Short-Response (SR)



FCAT Explorer


Open-Response (OR)

Students compose original answers

Read high-score sample response

Read explanation of attributes that earn sample response a high score

Compare student’s original

composition to high-score sample response

OR in Physical/Chemical


FCAT Explorer

Special Features


FCAT Explorer

Vocabulary Exercises

Special Learning Features

Review key words associated with the benchmark

Review definition and application of knowledge

Exercise completion features definition matching


FCAT Explorer

READ/INQIRE/EXPLAIN (RIE) ICON

Available on SR, ER, and OR items

Students click on the RIE icon to view rubric

Students check items on rubric as they read

Rubric helps students to identify elements included in high scoring answers



FCAT Explorer


Links directly to items answered incorrectly

Helps students focus on skill improvement

CHALLENGE LIST


FCAT Explorer

Animated Vocabulary Games


Play one of three vocabulary games after completing a group of benchmarks

Includes repetition of question for incorrect responses


FCAT Explorer


Bonus Missions: Review Lessons

Students select from seven bonus missions to review key science skills

3 nature of science lessons

How to Read the Periodic Table

Plant and Animal Cells

Active and Passive Transport

Understanding Chemical Reactions

Bonus Mission menu


FCAT Explorer

Linked (blue) words in first incorrect response

Click speaker icon to hear word pronounced

Definition

Spanish and Haitian Creole translations

GLOSSARY



FCAT Explorer


Reference Sheet

From any item page, students can review important formulas for solving problems

Based on actual FCAT reference sheet


FCAT Explorer


Interactive Calculator

Fully functional calculator

Accessible from any item page


FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools


FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools

Classroom Teacher’s Desk

District Administrator’s Desk

School Administrator’s Desk

Curriculum resourcesTable of Strands and

Benchmarks

Item Review

Letter to Parents

Information management tools

Sign-in names and passwords

Progress Reports

Messages to students


FCAT Explorer

Check progress on individuals or classes

View science data by Benchmark or Strand

Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support

Student Performance ReportsAt The Classroom Teacher’s Desk


FCAT Explorer

The Parent & Family Guide

Accessible from the home page without a password

Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole

Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0


FCAT Explorer

Linked from the home page

Download this PowerPoint presentation

Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual

Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual

Program-specific presentations

Download other presentations

Visit the Educator Resources Page


FCAT Explorer

Toll-Free Help Desk

Accessible from the home page without a password

1-888-750-FCAT

1-888-750-3228

Weekdays

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


FCAT Explorer

To get sign-in names and passwords

School Principals:

Contact your District

Office and speak to the

FCAT Explorer District

Administrator

Teachers:

Contact your FCAT

Explorer School

Administrator

FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)


FCAT Explorer

Log on to FCAT Explorer!

www.fcatexplorer.com


fcat explorer. science mission: biology from the florida department of education program overview

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