(Jeb) Bush: FCAT scores up in every grade but 10th

PalmBeachPost ^ | 5-15-03 | AP

[cgk]

Bush: FCAT scores up in every grade but 10th

Thursday, May 15, 2003

• Scores available at Dept. of Education
• Understanding FCAT scores

TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Florida students at almost every grade level are testing higher in reading and math, according to results of the state's standardized exams released Thursday.

In the Palm Beach County School District students performed at the highest level recorded since FCAT tests were administered. Overall, students did marginally better than last year with about 55 percent to 57 percent passing the tests.

Gov. Jeb Bush said the results of the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test shows "rising student achievement" and that keeping schools accountable is showing positive results. Bush announced the results as some minority leaders have threatened boycotts of Florida businesses over the test.

"This is a time to celebrate, this is not a time to boycott," Bush said, adding that protesters should not seek to hurt Florida's economy. "Look at these numbers and look at the results we have achieved and take another action."

The FCAT is given each year to public school students in grades three through 10 in reading and math. The FCAT also tests writing in three grades - fourth, eighth and 10th - and, starting this year, science in fifth, eighth and 10th.

"Every grade - but for 10th grade, which was flat - every grade in math and reading there was improvement," Bush said.

The test was developed under the administration of the late Gov. Lawton Chiles and field tested in 1997. It was given statewide in 1998 to create baseline data. The following year, when Bush took office, the state began using the test to judge schools and students.

The FCAT's importance is great - third-graders may be retained if they fail the reading portion of the test and seniors must pass the 10th grade FCAT to graduate.

How well students do also determines the grade their school will earn - and that grade determines whether schools get bonuses or their students become eligible to receive vouchers to private schools.

School grades will be released in mid-June after the state does more analysis of the FCAT data released Thursday.

Results on the FCAT, which is scored on a scale of 100 to 500, are divided into five achievement levels. Students who score in level 1 are considered to be performing below even a basic level and students who score in level 5 are considering to be performing at an advanced level.

Students who score in Level 3 are considered proficient in the skills and knowledge appropriate for their grade.

Students in the lower grades were much more likely to read on grade level than students in the higher grades.

For instance, almost 63 percent of the third-graders scored at grade level or above , but only 31 percent of ninth-graders were at or above grade level.

Students in the higher grades did significantly better in math than in reading. Sixty percent of the 10th grades could do math at grade level but only 36 percent could read at grade level.

Most of the children in the lower grades - third, fourth and fifth - scored at grade level in both math and reading.

Of all eight grades tested, the worst results were posted in ninth and 10th grade where approximately a third of the students could read on grade level.

Students in the middle grades - sixth and seventh - performed better on reading than math.

In Orlando, the vice president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association voiced the objections to the FCAT that have been made for several years.

"Florida teachers have cautioned all along about the high-stakes nature of the FCAT, against using just one test on one day to determine a whole 12 years of school work," Anne Calandrino said.

In Miami-Dade County, a district administrator said officials are still analyzing the raw data.

Mercedes Toural, a deputy superintendent, called the FCAT a good test that helps teachers assess individual students. She said the FCAT has also served to bring more attention to schools.

"It has certainly focused all of us in education," she said. "It has put an emphasis on the issue of education. Nobody can ignore it anymore. I think it has focused all of the efforts on education and improving school achievement."

But Toural said there's a downside in the pressure placed on schools and students.

"They may be too small for so much stress," she said.

[cgk]

Thanks to FReeper RedBloodedAmerican to pointing me to a similar article to this one (RBA, this one had more of the story). :)

Personal observations:

1. The older these FL schooled children get - the worse they do. Is it a break down of education excellence or just the mere fact that kids care less about education?

2. Of the 14,000 who failed the FCAT grade 10 test (needed to graduate), 1000 will be allowed to graduate now that scores have been "adjusted" so they would pass, after all. Is this teaching our children the right lesson to life?

3. What does a boycott called for by minority leaders of Florida "businesses" have to do with these tests? What happened to accountability for the STUDENTS, not just the teachers?

4. Granted, scores may have improved "overall", but aren't the most important members of the school system - the 10th graders and up who performed with "flat" scores (about 1/2 passing according to the article) - being rewarded for less than average performance? How will they handle the Real World if they can barely read?

The only sources I could find on the scores are below; All PDF links/files, so I can't post them on the thread, only the links TO the scores.

 Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test

2003 FCAT Scores
SASS Home | Feedback | Contact Us | FCAT Home
 

Understanding FCAT Reports: 2003 (PDF 630k) - Cover Sheet (PDF 71k) This report is not currently accessible to screen readers and assistive technology. An accessible version will be available soon.
Parent Information - Student Report (PDF 98k )	FCAT Developmental Scores
Press Kit
Purpose of FCAT (PDF 14k) 12th Grade Options & Opportunities Camp Day (PDF 519k) Read to Learn (PDF 63k)
2003 FCAT Reading SSS Scores
Statewide Comparison of Reading Scores (PDF) Grade 12 Percent Passing (PDF 49k)   State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 31k ) | Grade 4 ( 30k ) | Grade 5 ( 31k ) | Grade 6 ( 32k ) Grade 7 ( 30k ) | Grade 8 ( 31k ) | Grade 9 ( 31k ) | Grade 10 ( 31k ) School Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 375k ) | Grade 4 ( 407k ) | Grade 5 ( 419k ) | Grade 6 ( 229k ) Grade 7 ( 213k ) | Grade 8 ( 222k ) | Grade 9 ( 181k ) | Grade 10 ( 245k )
2003 FCAT Mathematics SSS Scores
Statewide Comparison of Mathematics Scores (PDF) Grade 12 Percent Passing (PDF 49k)   State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 32k ) | Grade 4 ( 31k ) | Grade 5 ( 31k ) | Grade 6 ( 31k ) Grade 7 ( 31k ) | Grade 8 ( 31k ) | Grade 9 ( 31k ) | Grade 10 ( 32k ) School Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 387k ) | Grade 4 ( 419k ) | Grade 5 ( 432k ) | Grade 6 ( 330k ) Grade 7 ( 254k ) | Grade 8 ( 227k ) | Grade 9 ( 188k ) | Grade 10 ( 264k )
2003 FCAT Science SSS Scores
State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 5 ( 28k ) | Grade 8 ( 27k ) | Grade 10 ( 28k ) School Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 5 ( 347k ) | Grade 8 ( 178k ) | Grade 10 ( 147k )
2003 FCAT Writing Scores
Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF) 2003 FCAT Writing Prompts   State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 4 ( 52k ) | Grade 8 ( 52k ) | Grade 10 ( 51k ) School Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 4    Alachua - Holmes ( 579k )    Indian River - Washington & Special Schools ( 572k ) Grade 8 ( 561k ) Grade 10 ( 464k )
2003 FCAT Norm-Referenced Test Scores
Statewide Comparison of Norm-Referenced Scores (PDF)   State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 23k ) | Grade 4 ( 48k ) | Grade 5 ( 48k ) | Grade 6 ( 47k ) Grade 7 ( 48k ) | Grade 8 ( 47k ) | Grade 9 ( 48k ) | Grade 10 ( 48k ) School Scores for All Curriculum Groups (MS Excel file) Grade 3 ( 277k ) | Grade 4 ( 292k ) | Grade 5 ( 292k ) | Grade 6 ( 162k ) Grade 7 ( 149k ) | Grade 8 ( 152k ) | Grade 9 ( 126k ) | Grade 10 ( 126k )
For questions regarding the FCAT, please fill out our feedback form.

[cgk]

FCAT - The results are in - ping!

[Normal4me]

WOW! Over half passed. By golly, we should be out in the streets celebrating!

/sarcasm

[daviddennis]

Education is a highly cumulative process - if you haven't learned the basics in the early grades, you won't be able to master more advanced material in the later ones.

So greater improvements in the earlier grades are to be expected if the reforms are working, so it would appear that they are. The long-term test is to keep the pressure on, and watch how people currently in the early grades do later. If there's continuous improvement over time, we know for sure the programs are working.

On the whole, then, I would say things are going as you would expect if you were anticipating significant improvements over time.

Hope that helps.

D

[cgk]

I've been asked why I'm posting FL education articles when I live in CA. Fair enough.

I don't plan on living in this cesspool forever. As much as I love the geography of this state, it basically has no soul, and is trying to suck away mine along with those I love.

Also, my worry is if the FL government finds it appropriate to give some kids a pass (and a diploma) for not even TRYING to learn in their state, it is only a matter of time before that laissez-faire attitude becomes law, and reaches to MY state and MY childrn's schools.

[roylene]

Does anyone have a copy of any of the questions?

[roylene]

Does anyone have a copy of any of the questions?

[stylin19a]

Thanks for the ping. I'm reminded of the goofy movie "Summer School".
There has to be some merit in improved scores....whether one passes or not...
But not passing is what summer school and/or repeating a grade are for.

[roylene]

Does anyone have a copy of any of the questions?

[cgk]

Thanks, and I agree. I have more hope for the 3rd and similar grade children showing improvement, than the 10th graders and simimilar showing little to no change under reform. They already have apathy towards education, so it will be hard to change them now.

The comment at the end of the article:
(snip..."Florida teachers have cautioned all along about the high-stakes nature of the FCAT, against using just one test on one day to determine a whole 12 years of school work,"), to me is very telling.

I understand a teacher not wanting to be held accountable for predecessors who didn't care either, but it is their JOB to educate these children, and test them accordingly to determine whether they are learning the material. And many aren't. It is better to hold kids back (which they are doing to 3rd graders who didn't pass), then to just lower the bar and let them skate anyway, basically washing their hands of them and sending them the message "It's too late to help you, you're on your own." Which is sad, because they will be released into life hardly knowing how to even fill out a job application.

[cgk]

Some of the questions are on this thread Lowering FCAT passing scores will allow 1,000 to graduate (Test discriminates who can't read/add)

[cgk]

Here's another story on the situation with 3rd graders who don't pass their FCAT, where they only get ONE more chance to take the test. (10th graders get FIVE).

Source link: TBE FCAT scores slip; some third-graders face being held back

More than 800 Collier County students have been identified as possibly having to repeat third grade.

According to school Principal Jory Westberry, the parents face four options:

• Tell the school that they want their child held back.

• Have their child take a similar test Wednesday, May 14, with the make-up day being Thursday, May 15, to see if the child can score better and move on.

• Enroll their child in an intensive summer school reading program and take the test again on July 25.

• Hire a tutor to prepare their child for the July 25 state test.

  Lynn Davison, the school's curriculum specialist, sees no simple answer.

  "Whatever option they choose

  
  I don't see why these same options aren't being considered by parents of high schoolers who are facing not graduating. Instead, minority leaders are calling for boycotts. Way to help the children!

[FReepaholic]

>>..."Florida teachers have cautioned all along about the high-stakes nature of the FCAT, against using just one test on one day to determine a whole 12 years of school work," Anne Calandrino said...<<

The obvious reponse to that would be more tests on more days. But I'm sure some people would go ballistic if that happened.

[cgk]

There has to be some merit in improved scores....whether one passes or not...

I agree. Which is why I am not really jumping on Jeb for speaking optimistically about the scores. This is a "new" test, and the most improvement is in the lower grades, which is wonderful. I only wish more could be done about the older kids' scores, instead of just letting failing grades fly, or blaming bias.

[cgk]

Right. After all, what is the SAT for? It doesn't keep you from getting a diploma, but it does take into consideration and test on a cumulation of 12 years of education, and is also considered "high stakes". How well you do can determine what college you may get into.

Oh wait, that's another biased, discriminatory test. Never mind. ;)

[Ohioan]

Trying to solve educational problems at the State level is not quite as absurd as having the Federal Government meddle in the process, but it is not really a practical approach either. Education is an individual, child by child process. It cannot be macro managed and be anything but a gigantic waste. On the other hand, tests of achievement level are worthwhile, else we will never be able to gauge what a high school education means. (See Public Schools--Issues & Reality.)

Further, it would be well if any State adopting achievement level testing, establish benchmarks to show how today's 10th grade level compares with the 10th grade level in 1900 or 1910. It is my understanding, that it is vastly lower--at least as it relates to the basic skills in reading and math. (Of course, history and geography are practically abandoned subjects!)

William Flax

[ladylib]

It seems the longer they stay in the public schools, the worse they get. They seem to deteriorate, even when they know that their future depends on passing this test.

I've heard of this happening before. It's as if they've had it with school.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

But...but...this can't be....

[Irene Adler]

"...greater improvements in the earlier grades are to be expected if the reforms are working, so it would appear that they are."

You are correct. This result would be expected.