Lowering FCAT passing scores will allow 1,000 to graduate (Test discriminates who can't read/add)

CBS-47 Jacksonville, FL ^ | 5-14-03 | AP

[cgk]

Lowering FCAT passing scores will allow 1,000 to graduate

(Tallahassee-AP) -- The lowering of the passing score for seniors who took the F-CAT will allow about one-thousand who originally flunked to go ahead and graduate.

The F-CAT is given in 10th grade but a student who fails can take the test again five more times.

Nearly 14-thousand seniors have not passed the F-CAT, a requirement for grduation.

About 4-thousand of those wouldn't graduate even if they did pass the F-CAT because they don't have the grades or haven't taken all the required courses.

Seniors have another chance to take the F-CAT next month.

The passing score had been 300. But now the state is allowing seniors to graduate if they got 287 or above in reading. In math, 295 or above is good enough to get a diploma.

 

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[Marie Antoinette]

Pingaroonie for research...

[undeniable logic]

Actually, since the range is 100-500, if we assume a linear point structure (based on number correct) with no negative points for wrong answers...

(287-100)/(500-100) = 46.75%
(295-100)/(500-100) = 48.75%

BTW, I looked at the exam. Pathetic... They are allowed a calculator, with instructions on how the calculator works. Then, they are given a two page formula sheet (for instance area of circle = pi*r^2) Finally, the questions are very simple. I would be upset if my child (don't have one yet) scored below a 90.

Here's a question: which number is the biggest:
9.350 * 10^-28
2.879 * 10^-26
5.832 * 10^-22
8.976 * 10^-24

[k2blader]

Thank you, I've just slapped myself. Your calculation is indeed correct as it takes the range into account.

I am befuddled by the lowest score of 100. Does that mean a student can "earn" 100 points despite getting every answer wrong?

And they get formula sheets too? (...I won't even comment on that "which number is the biggest" question...)