PARTIN ELEMENTARY February 11, 2014

Parent Information Night

Please help me

pass the FCAT –

I mean FCAT 2.0…

Please don’t

ever make an

FDOG…

Agenda • Welcome/Introductions –Mrs. Nancy Urban, Principal

• General Testing Information (Dates/Rules/Times/Accommodations)

–Dr. Tony Oglesby, Assistant Principal

• FCAT Reading –Mrs. Hanley, Instructional Coach

• FCAT Writing – Mrs. Sebrina Mediavilla, 4th Grade Reading/Language Arts Teacher

• FCAT Math – Mr. Joseph Roicki, Elementary Math Specialist

• FCAT Science – Mrs. Lindsey Hosack, Elementary Science Specialist

• Helping Your Child/Results – Mrs. Nancy Urban, Principal

• Questions/Answers

• Helpful Resources

Who takes the FCAT/FCAT 2.0 in

Elementary School?

FCAT 2.0 Reading – Grades 3, 4, and 5

FCAT 2.0 Mathematics – Grades 3, 4, and 5

FCAT 2.0 Writing – Grade 4

FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5

When is the FCAT/FCAT 2.0?

• FCAT Writing – Grade 4 – Tuesday, February 25, 2014 – Make-up day Wednesday, February 26, 2014

• FCAT 2.0 Reading, Mathematics, and Science • Grades 3, 4, and 5 Reading: April 16-April 17, 2014

• Grades 3 and 4 Math: April 21-April 22, 2014

• Grade 5 Science: April 21-22, 2014

• Grade 5 CBT Math: April 28-May 1, 2014

Is the test timed? YES

• Writing – Grade 4

• 60 minutes

• Reading and Mathematics Grades 3, 4, and 5

• 140 minutes (2 – 70 minute sessions)

• Tested over two days

• Science – Grade 5

• 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)

• Tested over two days

Electronic Devices Reminder

* No electronic devices permitted during testing

Students CANNOT have any electronic device (e.g., cell phone, mp3 player, game system, etc.) on them OR within arm’s reach even if they

do not use them.

The rules have been expanded to include not discussing the test via electronic communication or social media sites.

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

Cause for immediate invalidation of test

Test Rules

Acknowledgment

Test Rules Acknowledgment

Students will be required to sign (paper tests) or agree to (computer test) the Test Rules

Acknowledgment before taking any FCAT 2.0 assessment.

Test Rules Acknowledgment reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules,

my test score will be invalidated.”

Accommodations

Flexible Scheduling • Extended time, various schedule

• Taking the test in several brief

periods, allowing frequent breaks

Flexible Setting • Individual or small group setting

• Adaptive or special furniture

• Environment with reduced stimuli (in a study

carrel, desk cleared of extraneous items)

• Allow Movement

Flexible Responding •Dictation/Scribe

• Sign language responses to an interpreter

• Gridded paper to organize computation

• Assistive Technology

•Word processor with spell check and

grammar check inactivated

•Monitoring to determine if student is

marking in the correct space and sequence

Flexible Presentation • Large print/Braille Materials

• Math/Science/Writing prompt may

be read

• Magnification devices

•Tracking tools

• Copy of directions provided

• Repeat directions, summarized, or

clarified, student rephrase

• Verbal encouragement

**Based on the needs of the student in the classroom**

FCAT Reading

Mrs. Hanley

Instructional Coach Partin Elementary

What is FCAT 2.0?

General Information

Benchmark Number: LA.3.1.7.3

Benchmark Description: The student will determine explicit ideas and information in grade-level text,

including but not limited to main idea, relevant supporting details, strongly implied

message and inference, and chronological order of events;

Subject Area: Reading/Language Arts

Grade Level: 3

Strand: Reading Process

Standard: Reading Comprehension - The student uses a variety of strategies to comprehend

grade level text.

Date Adopted or Revised: 01/07

Status: State Board Approved

• Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® 2.0 – Measures student success with the Next Generation

Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) • More information about NGSSS go to

www.floridastandards.org

– Example of a Benchmark

How is the FCAT/FCAT 2.0 designed?

Grade Vocabulary Reading Application Literary Analysis:

Fiction & Nonfiction

Informational &

Research Process

3-5

50-55 Multiple Choice 15-25% 25-35% 25-35% 15-25%

Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category

• FCAT 2.0 Reading

Additional Reading Information

Length of FCAT passages

number of words per passage

Grade Range Average

3rd 100-700 500

4th 100-900 500

5th 200-1000 600

Additional Reading Information

Reading Passage Types and Percentage for FCAT 2.0

• 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 the classroom.

Grade Literary Text Informational

Text

3rd 60% 40%

4th 50% 50%

5th 50% 50%

Types of Text

Literary Passages Informational Passages

Fiction

Short stories

Poetry

Historical fiction

Fables

Folk tales, tall tales

Legends

Myths

Fantasy

Drama

Excerpts from longer works

Nonfiction

Biographical and autobiographical

sketches

Diaries, memoirs, journals, letters

Essays (e.g., personal and classical

narratives)

Critiques

Primary Sources/Nonfiction

Historical documents (e.g., Bill of

Rights)

Essays (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

Testing Tips for

Reading

Testing Tips for

Reading

• Reading

– Read with your child and have

them read to you

• Use a variety of reading

materials

– Ask your child questions about

what they read

– Trips to the library

FCAT Writing

Mrs. Sebrina Mediavilla Reading/Language Arts

Partin Elementary

How is the FCAT/FCAT 2.0 designed? FCAT Writes

• One prompt

• Narrative (Write to tell a story…)

• Expository (Write to explain…)

• One hour to write (Read, Plan, Write, Edit)

• Two scorers will read each paper

• Scale of 0 – 6

• Each reader will give the writing a whole point score

• A .5 score will only be used if there is a difference in the two readers’ scores.

• Score of 3.5 is considered to be proficient

Reader 1 Reader 2 Score

3 4 3.5

proficiency

Scoring

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

FCAT Writes

• Two years ago the guidelines were modified.

• Proficiency increased from 3.0 to 3.5.

• Conventions were weighed more heavily.

• Time was increased from 45 minutes to 60

minutes.

Changes

Testing Tips

for Writing

1.Continue to encourage your writer.

2.Guide their attention to:

• Creative ideas

• Organized flow

• Clean conventions

• Strong word choice

• Strong voice

• Smooth sentences

3.Florida DOE Sample Papers

http://fcat.fldoe.org/13writing.asp

FCAT Math

Mr. Joseph Roicki Elementary Math Specialist

Seminole County Public Schools

How is the FCAT/FCAT 2.0 designed?

Content Categories and approximate percentage of

raw-score points for each category

FCAT 2.0 Reading

• FCAT 2.0 Mathematics

Grade Category Percentage

3

50-55 Multiple Choice

Number: Operations, Problems, and

Statistics 50

Number: Fractions 20

Geometry and Measurement 30

4

35-40 Multiple Choice

10-15 Gridded Response

Number: Operations and Problems 45

Number: Base Ten and Fractions 25

Geometry and Measurement 30

5

35-40 Multiple Choice

10-15 Gridded Response

Number: Base Ten and Fractions 50

Expressions, Equations, and Statistics 20

Geometry and Measurement 30

Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category

Computer-Based Test

• Grade 5 Math will be a computer-based test

• Students will be required to participate in a practice test session prior to the actual test

• Practice using testing platform and tools, answering questions, changing answers, submitting test, etc.

– Accommodated versions are available for students with visual exceptionalities • Large print, zoom, color contrast, screen

reader, or combination

– Students will receive a work folder to use for working problems

ePAT – CBT Practice Test

• Parents may practice the Grade 5 Math computer-based practice test at home with their student – Go to www.FLAssessments.com/ePATs

1. Click and review How to Install ePATs

2. Click Install Launcher

3. Click on either Grade 5 Math Practice Test-Mac OR Grade 5 Math Practice Test-Windows

• Remember the practice test is ONLY used for students to become familiar with the tools and navigation on the computer-based test and does not reflect the types of questions that will be on the FCAT 2.0 Math test.

Testing Tips for

Math • Gridded-Response Questions

(Grades 4 and 5)

– Make sure you transfer your answer correctly!

– Left or right justify your answer, don’t leave it in the middle!

• Mathematics Reference Sheet (Grade 5) – http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/mg5rsr.pdf

– Become familiar with the formulas on the reference sheet

Testing Tips for

Math

• Go over homework with your student

• Ask “Why?” How do you know?” or “Can

you prove that?”

• Utilize online resources on Think

Central (www-k6.thinkcentral.com)

• Involve students in the math of

everyday – cooking, shopping, travel,

etc.

• They don’t have to know everything –

problem solving is what counts!

FCAT Science

Mrs. Lindsey Hosack Elementary Science Specialist

Seminole County Public Schools

How is the FCAT/FCAT 2.0 designed?

Grade Nature of

Science

Earth and Space

Science Physical Science Life Science

5

60-66 Multiple

Choice

17% 29% 29% 25%

Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category

• FCAT 2.0 Science

FCAT Fair Game FCAT Science

• FCAT Science test is a comprehensive test that will cover

benchmark tested in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.

• The material that students have learned in previous school

years are “fair game” for assessment in later years.

• For example:

• Grade 3: Identify the Sun as a star that emits energy;

some of it in the form of light.

• Grade 4: Recognize that Earth revolves around the Sun

in a year and rotates on its axis in a 24-hour day. This

concept is not addressed anywhere else K-8.

FCAT Science

FCAT Explorer

• Go to www.fcatexplorer.com

Science Station provides comprehensive practice for the science

benchmarks tested on the elementary Science FCAT. The program is

organized into four areas: Physical/Chemical, Earth/Space,

Life/Environmental, and Scientific Thinking. Support includes glossary

terms, hints, and incorrect answer feedback. Science Station also

features innovative vocabulary building exercises. Students can get

started using the practice programs on their own because FCAT

Explorer provides instructional feedback for every answer choice. All

you have to do is make sure they have accurate sign-in names and

passwords.

Resources for Reviewing Tested Concepts

FCAT Science

iCPALMS:

The iCPALMS Pathway at Florida State University is designed to provide a standarads-based system to bring content, services, professional development, research, dissemination, and outreach into the context of the K-12 schools. www.floridastandards.org

Testing Tips for

Science

Helping Your Child

• Test Preparation

– Help your child to realize that it is important to do their best every day, as well as on the FCAT 2.0

– Help your child practice the skills they are learning in real-life situations so that the skills have meaning beyond the FCAT 2.0 test

– Help your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast

– Over emphasizing the FCAT 2.0 can increase your child’s anxiety • Work with your child to help them learn how to

handle anxiety

How are FCAT 2.0 Results Used?

• FCAT 2.0 results provide teachers and

schools with additional information

about each student’s proficiencies

• Results are used IN ADDITION TO

teacher observations and coursework

throughout the year in making

determinations of student strengths and

areas of opportunity

How are FCAT 2.0 Results Used?

• Grade 3 Reading Scores

– Students who score a Level 1 on Reading are required (by state law) to have further evaluation before being promoted to 4th grade

• Options for Students who Score at Level 1

– ‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options • SAT 10 test (In May, then at the end of Summer Camp)

• Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency

– Decisions are made on an individual student basis

Questions

Helpful Resources

Seminole County Public Schools

Building Success for Every Student

• Contact your child’s teacher and school administration

– Florida Department of Education Web Site

(http://www.fldoe.org)

– FCAT Homepage (http://fcat.fldoe.org)

– FCAT School Accountability Reports

(http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org)

– FCAT Explorer Web Site (http://www.fcatexplorer.com)

– Benchmark Pages (http://floridastandards.org)

– Assessment & Accountability Web Site

(http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/testing)