FCAT cuts

In addition to eliminating the summer FCAT retake exams, the state is cutting other test-related expenses to save money:

• Eliminating the NRT used to compare Florida students to other states will save $11.5 million.

• By getting rid of the FCAT parent network, which allowed parents to look up their children's scores online, the state will save about $1.3 million.

• Doing away with the seals on the answer booklets for the eighth- and 11th-grade math and science tests, the state will save an additional $79,000. Schools will have to police the booklets closely to make sure the absence of seals doesn't lead to cheating.

• Cutting out paper reports for teachers will save $54,000.

• Kids who do well on the FCAT will no longer get certificates of achievement, saving an estimated $13,000.

DIBELS Assessment

We will be testing all of our students on the DIBELS from Thursday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 26. Details to come.

Fall Interims

Fall Interim Exams will begin on October 20. Details To Come.


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Tri-Weekly Assessments

Teachers,‬‪ ‬‪

In your mailboxes you will find all of the necessary materials to administer this week's math/science tri-weekly assessment.  These assessments are to be given during your math/science instructional block.  Please place the bubblesheets in my mailbox by Thursday, September 11th, so that I can prepare your data for our grade level meetings. 

The benchmarks that will be covered on the assessments are as follows:‬‪ ‬‪

3rd Grade‬‪

» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Place Value‬‪
» Addition and Subtraction Relationships‬‪
» Identifying Appropriate Operations‬‪
» Estimation and Rounding

4th Grade‬‪

» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Place Value‬‪
» Inverse Operations of Multiplication and Division‬ Properties of Numbers‬‪
» Identifying Multiples‬‪
» Rules of Divisibility‬‪

5th Grade‬‪
» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Identifying Multiples
» GCF and LCM‬‪
» Mixed-Operation Expressions‬‪
» Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties of Multiplication‬‪
» Rules of Divisibility‬‪ ‬‪

Prior to submitting your bubblesheets, please complete the following:‬‪

• Erase any stray marks/drawings • Make sure all students have filled-in the bubble next to their name
• Make sure that students use a generic bubble sheet if their name is not listed on the bubblesheet
• Make sure that students have bubbled in an answer for each question and that each bubble is dark ‬

Please remind your students to do their best on the assessments and that this assessment could earn them a spot in Dr. K's 70% club and Ms. Abner's 80 % club.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Thank you for you continued support and cooperation.  

Sincerely, ‪Cisely Scott, Mathematics/Science Coach ‬ ‪


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Changes in Standardized Testing for 2008-09

• Discontinuation of the FCAT Norm Referenced Test  

• Florida Alternate Assessment for SPED students administered in January/February (not concurrently with FCAT)  

• Discontinuation of Nagliari Non-Verbal Ability Test (NNAT)  

• Administration of SAT-10 to Grade 1 Students only in Reading First Schools (Grade 2 still in all schools)

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Benchmark Assessments Change

Assuming that school resumes on Wednesday, we will begin the Benchmark Assessments for grades 3-5 on Thursday. A revised memo will be sent which will indicate the revised schedule.

FLKRS

The test administration window for the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) for all entering kindergarten students will begin August 18, 2008 and end September 29, 2008. FLKRS materials will be delivered to the school the week of August 11 – 15, 2008.

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School Grades Released

On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Education released the schools' grades for the 2007-08 school year, and say whether students' scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test show progress required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Cick here.

School Grade

We are expecting to receive information about our school grade by the middle of next week. Details To Come.

FCAT Writing Results

Statewide results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test will be released Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Education. It's the first round of scores to be released this year.

http://cbs4.com/local/fcat.florida.comprehensive.2.718171.html

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FCAT Online?

The Florida Department of Education issued the following guidelines for school districts setting up computer-based FCAT retake exams for high school students. Participating schools must provide specific equipment, facilities and staff.

http://feeds.sun-sentinel.com/~r/sun-sentinel/news/education/~3/284457296/sfl-flpfcatbox0506pnmay06,0,6608005.story

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FCAT Writing+ 2009

As per the Florida Commissioner of Education's presentation this morning, the graduation requirement regarding the FCAT Writing+ assessment has been delayed. Current Grade 10 students will not need to pass the Writing+ assessment to receive a standard diploma. Also, the multiple choice portion of Writing+ is being discontinued.

Spring Interim Assessment

Please click the title bar above to view information about this week's interim exams.

Spring Interim Testing

During the week of April 14, grade 4 and 5 classes will participate in the Spring Interim Assessment in Science only.

Since Reading and Mathematics will not be administered this time, grade 3 is exempt from this assessment.

We will not be closing down the building this time and the target classes will receive more direction later in the week.

CELLA Testing

We will begin CELLA Testing for our English Language Learners on April 22.

Details to come.

Broward leads resistance to FCAT

It started out a decade ago as a simple test, but the FCAT has become a high-stakes trial that determines a schools reputation -- and a frenzied academic culture has evolved to handle it.
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/464579.html

Testing for 3/18 and 3/19

Test Administrators,


Allow me to remind you that our Tuesday and Wednesday Assessments will also include grade 1 and 2 classes.

Consequently, you are strongly encouraged to arrive earlier than usual on those two days.

I will begin releasing test materials at 7:30 a.m. each day.

*** Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device.

Schedule During Testing This Week

On Monday, we will follow a normal schedule. The only adjustment that will occur is that PE Classes will be held in the cafeteria until the end of the Fifth Grade Science Exam.

On Tuesday, we will follow the Revised Master Schedule.

On Wednesday, we will follow the Revised Master Schedule, while grades 2 and 5 will eat lunch at different times. Those teachers should see the e-mail that was sent to them on Friday regarding this.

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Receiving FCAT or SAT-10 Materials

Selected Staff,

During our six testing days, the conference room will be open at 7:30 a.m. each day, so you may have the opportunity to receive your materials in ample time to prepare for the school day.


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FCAT and SAT-10 Training

Test Administrators and Proctors,

Please note that the training meetings are offered on multiple days and times this week in room 20.

Please note the day and time for each group and attend one session.





Monday

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (SAT Test Administrators and any FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (FCAT Test Administrators and any FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



Tuesday

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (FCAT Test Administrators and any FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (FCAT Test Administrators and any FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



Wednesday

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



Thursday

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (SAT Test Administrators and any FCAT Proctors or SAT Proctors)



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