FCAT Parent Night

Mater Gardens Academy2012 - 2013

It’s

Time

What is the FCAT 2.0/FCAT?

The FCAT 2.0/FCAT is the only test administered statewide in Florida public schools that is directly linked to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards/Sunshine State Standards.

The FCAT 2.0/FCAT was designed to represent the kinds of tasks and activities that parents and teachers expect as part of good instruction.

The FCAT 2.0/FCAT Reading, Mathematics, and Science tests require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the information presented and to apply strategies or procedures they have learned. The level of thinking required of students goes beyond the

recall of facts and literal comprehension required in many standardized tests. Similarly, FCAT Writing topics require students to apply their writing skills by drafting an original piece of writing in response to a real-world topic.

When is the FCAT 2.0/ FCAT?

February 26th & 27th

(Writing)

The weeks of April 15th-24th, 2013

(Reading, Math & Science)

*Specific dates are forthcoming…

What FCAT Subject Area Test will my child take?

Reading Writing Math Science

3

4

5

6& 7

FCAT Question Formats by Grade

Test Question FormatConten

tMultiple Choice

Gridded Response

Performance Tasks

Reading Grade 3-7

Math Grade 3-7 Grade 4 & 5

Science Grade 5

FCAT Reading, Mathematics, & Science Approximate Number of Questions and

Duration by Grade Level

Reading Mathematics Science

3rd50-55 MC

140 minutes 50-55 MC

140 minutes NT

4th50-55 MC

140 minutes

35-40 MC10-15 GR

140 minutes NT

5th50-55 MC

140 minutes

35-40 MC10-15 GR

140 minutes

60-66 MC110 minutes

6th50-55 MC

(on the computer)140 minutes

35-40 MC10-15 GR

140 MinutesNT

7th 50-55 MC

(on the computer)140 Minutes

35-40 MC10-15 GR

140 MinutesNT

KeyNT = Not Tested MC = Multiple Choice GR = Gridded Response

FCAT 2.0 Reading Reporting Categories

Measures ability in four areas.

The content becomes more challenging and contains specific differences as students progress from one grade level to the next as shown in the chart.

Grades Vocabulary Reading Application

Literary Analysis Fiction/Nonfiction

Informational Text/ Research Process

3-7 15-25% 25-35% 25-35% 15-25%-Context, -Basewords/Affixes -Antonyms/Synonyms -Multiple Meanings/ Analyzing Words in Text

-Author’s Purpose / Perspective -Main Idea -Relative Details -Conclusions/ Inferences -Chronological Order -Cause/Effect -Text Structure -Theme/Topic -Compare/ Contrast

-Plot Development -Character Development -Character Point of View -Setting -Problem/ Solution -Descriptive Language -Figurative Language -Text Features

-Locate, Interpret, Organize Information -Text Features

-Validity & Reliability ofInformation(GRADE 5 & 6 ONLY)

-RED represents NEW tested skills in the FCAT 2.0

Distribution of FCAT Reading Test Items by Passage and

Length

Grade

Number of Words per Passage

Average Range

3 500 100-700

4 500 100-900

5 600 200-1000

6 700 200-1100

7 700 200-1100

Informational Passages

Provides readers with facts and information about a subject Tables, illustrations, photographs, and captions Subject-area text (e.g. science, history) Magazine or newspaper articles Biographies and autobiographies How-to articles Diaries Editorials Advertisements

Literary Passages

Short-stories Literary essays Excerpts from novels Poems Fables and folktales Historical Fiction Plays

Written primarily for readers’ enjoyment

FCAT Mathematics Content

 FCAT Mathematics covers five content areas. Students in Grades 3–10 respond to questions from some of these areas, depending on their

grade level.      

NUMBER SENSE, CONCEPTS, AND OPERATIONS MEASUREMENT

GEOMETRY AND SPATIAL SENSE ALGEBRAIC THINKING

DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY

FCAT Mathematics Content

1NUMBER SENSE,

CONCEPTS, AND

OPERATIONS

2MEASUREMENT

3GEOMETRY,

AND SPATIAL SENSE

4ALGEBRAIC THINKING

5DATA

ANALYSIS AND PROBIBILITY

6FRACTIONS,

RATIOS, PROBABILITY&

STATISTICS

• identifies +, –, x, ÷ & knows their function

• determines estimates

• knows how numbers are represented & used

• recognizes measurements & units of measure

• compares, contrasts, & converts measurements

• describes, draws, identifies, & analyzes two- & three-dimensional shapes

• visualizes and illustrates changes in shape

• uses coordinate geometry

• describes, analyzes, & generalizes patterns, relations, & functions

• writes and uses expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs, & formulas

• organizes, interprets, & analyzes data

• identifies patterns & makes predictions, inferences, & valid conclusions

• uses probability & statistics

•Multiply & divide fractions

•Evaluate expressions

•Analyze & solve problems

Achievement Levels Policy Definitions

Level Definition

5 This student has success with the most challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 5 answers most of the test questions correctly, including the most challenging questions

4 This student has success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 4 answers most of the test questions correctly, but may have only some success with questions that reflect the most challenging content.

3 This student has partial success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards, but performance is inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3 answers many of the test questions correctly but is generally less successful with questions that are the most challenging.

2 This student has limited success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards

1 This student has little success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards.

How can parents help?

Available Resources: FCAT Explorer Riverdeep IXL Math Reflex Math Gizmo Reading Plus Florida Reading Ready CARS Reading Intervention Program STARS Mathematics Intervention Program Accelerated Reader Florida Coach Mathematics

Students can log-in to their STUDENT PORTAL andaccess all of these resources.

http://myportal.dadeschools.net/student/

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Take your child to the library.

In addition to books, your neighborhood library will have books on tape, computers, and other useful resources

Help them improve their oral reading fluency

Ask questions about what they read (science, social studies, novels…use the FCAT Task Cards to guide comprehension)

Have them summarize what they read (orally or in writing)

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Stress the importance and relevance of reading in their daily lives (present and future)

Read with your child Enroll your child in after-school tutoring Talk and listen to your child (besides

strengthening the family, this will improve your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge)

Tell your child often that you believe in his or her ability to do well

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Make sure your child attends school regularly. Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or

her progress. Encourage your child, especially when he or she

does well. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at

home. Make sure that your child is well rested on school

days, especially on test days. Give your child a well-rounded diet. This will help

ensure a healthy body and a healthy, active mind.

Provide books and magazines for your child. Don’t be too anxious about your child’s test

scores. The best advice you can give your child is to “just relax and do your best.”

How can parents help?

Stay in touch with the teachers Monitor your child’s progress Teachers appreciate your involvement Ask for guidance when you have concerns or

questions Be aware of expectations / requirements

Know what is expected for each grade level and subject area

Review homework assignments each evening Have your child read daily for at least 30 minutes Monitor your child while they use the computer

practice programs at least 3 times a week

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Monitor their silent reading time

(30 minutes per day)

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Limit your child's TV watching

How can parents help? (cont’d)

Go to the library and find books that explore the themes of the TV shows that your child watches

Students should…

Learn how to answer each type of question (use the FCAT Task Cards).

Read each question carefully Read each answer completely- the first part

of the answer might be correct, but not the end of the answer

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

Students should…

Find the answer to the question in the passage. Look for the answer in the MC responses (90% chance of getting it right)

Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere

Be specific when answering short or extended responses, do not use pronouns

Understand feelings and emotions

Smart steps to do well on tests…

1. Have pens, pencils, and erasers ready.2. Breathe deeply and slowly.3. Quickly look over the entire test before

starting.4. Read the directions carefully.5. Watch the clock; budget time carefully.6. Don’t try to finish first.7. Mark difficult questions and come back to

them later.8. Proofread answers before turning in test.

How can I access FCAT test samples?

If you wish to familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked on the

FCAT, you may review the “FCAT Sample Questions and Answer Key Books (2012-13)”

athttp://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/

fcatitem.asp

Interesting Facts Find out FACTS and TIPS about the test your child

is taking at http://www.fcat.fldoe.org

Reviewed for bias and sensitivity- therefore mostly about nature

If words are not at grade level, they are footnoted

In order for a child to score a level 3 on the FCAT test, 50% of the questions must be answered correctly

FCAT Online Resources

Keys to FCAT- http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatkeys.asp

Frequently Asked Questions About the FCAT- http://www.fldoe.org/faq/default.asp?Dept=179&Cat=95

Released Tests & Sample Test Materials http://fcat.fldoe.org/

Thank you for your continued

dedication in your child’s education!

Your Mater Gardens Family