1. Montessori of Winter Garden Charter School February 25th, 2015

2. Agenda What are the Florida Standards Assessments?
Subjects and Grades Assessed
Test Timing
Test Schedule
Test Design and Test Item Types
FCAT 2.0 Science
Score Information
How is the FSA and FCAT 2.0 Science used?
Helpful Resources

3. What are the new Florida Standards?
The new Florida Standards were adopted in 2014 in English/Language Arts and Mathematics to help prepare Florida students for success in college, career, and in life by emphasizing analytical thinking skills.
The new test will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests.
The intent is that the new question types will assess students' higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

4. What are the Florida Standards Assessments (FSAs)?
Florida Standards Assessments were developed to measure student success with the new standards.
What subjects are assessed with FSAs?
English Language Arts (ELA) - Grades 3-11 Reading and Listening and Grades 4-11 Writing
Mathematics - Grades 3-8
Testing contractor - American Institutes for Research (AIR)

5. Are the tests timed? YES! English Language Arts - Grades 3, 4, and 5
Writing – Grades 4 and 5
90 minutes – up to 120 minutes (1 session)
English Language Arts - Grades 3, 4, and 5
160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
Tested over two days
Mathematics - Grades 3, 4, and 5
FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5
160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
NOTE: Students will be given short stretch/water/restroom breaks during sessions

6. When are the tests? FSA Writing Grades 4-5: March 3
FSA ELA – Grades 3-4: April 1 and 2
FSA Math – Grades 3-4: April 6 and 7
FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5: April 13-14
FSA ELA/Math– Grade 5: Begins April 28-May 1, Some flexibility but must End by May 8

7. Paper-based Tests Grades 3 and 4 ELA and Math Grades 4 and 5 Writing
Students will receive a Test and Answer Book for each subject
Grades 4 and 5 Writing
Students will receive a Writing Planning Sheet and a Test and Answer Book
Grade 5 FCAT 2.0 Science
Students will receive a Test Book and an Answer Book
Sample Tests recently provided by DOE for Paper Test subjects (I have them tonight.)

8. Computer-based Tests
Grade 5 English Language Arts and Math tests will be a computer-based beginning this year
Students participated in a training test session prior to the actual test
Practice using testing platform and tools, answering questions, changing answers, submitting test, etc.
Students will receive a Worksheet as scratch paper for the English Language Arts, and a Work Folder for working Math problems

9. How is the FSA English Language Arts designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Depth of Knowledge*
*Depth of Knowledge refers to the complexity level of the cognitive process demanded by a test item rather than the difficulty of the item. Level 1 = Recall and Reproduction; Level 2 = Skills and Concepts; Level 3 = Strategic Thinking

10. Test Item Types ELA Question Types: Multiple Choice: Select one answer
Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen
Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic
Open Response: 1-3 sentences (just enough to answer the question and support it from the text)
Hot Text: highlights the sentence (computer-based)
Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)
Editing Task: make edits within the text (computer-based)
Listening Task: Student listens to audio file and answers questions based on what they have heard (computer-based grades 5-11)

11. Test Item Types
Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

12. Test Item Types
Multiple-Choice with 2 Parts

13. Test Item Types Open Response Questions
Explain how the texts develop and treat the theme of freedom in the same way.
Type your response in the space provided.
*1-3 sentences. Clear, concise and to the point - just enough to answer the question and support it from the text

14. Test Item Types
Multi-Select (computer-based)

15. Test Item Types
Editing Task (computer-based)

16. Test Item Types
Graphics (computer-based)
Place the characteristics that describe the narrator, Cassie, or both in the diagram in the correct locations.
Sure
Reflective
Adventurous
Cautious
Determined
Biology career
Careless about friendship
Impressed by the ocean
**Not all words need to be used!

17. Testing Tips Listening Task (computer-based) Audio Script:
[Orientation Statement:] Listen to classmates Samantha and Orlando prepare for a project.
SAMANTHA: I did some research online, and I found rules for how to market to kids. I think they are a good starting point for our project, even though we can’t do all of them.
ORLANDO: Okay, what did you find?
SAMANTHA: etc……

18. How is the FSA Mathematics designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Depth of Knowledge

19. Test Item Types Math Question Types:
Multiple Choice: Select one answer
Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen
Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic
Open Response: type or click on numbers and symbols create an answer
Hot Spot: creating items on graphs (computer-based)
Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)
Drag and Drop: drag numbers, symbols, etc., and place in appropriate area to create an answer

20. Test Item Types
Multi-Select with 2 Parts/Drag and Drop (computer-based)

21. Test Item Types
Graphics (computer-based)

22. Test Item Types
Hot Spot (computer-based)

23. Test Item Types
Open Response Questions

24. Test Item Types
Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

25. How is the FSA Writing designed?
At elementary, the stimulus will consist of two to four texts, ranging from words each. Scoring rubrics for FSA Writing can be found on the FSA Portal.

26. Testing Tips Writing Essay Responses
Read the prompt and determine whether it is asking for information/explanation, or an opinion/argument
Read the texts, looking for details to support information or opinion/argument
Use the Planning Sheet to organize thoughts and details
Write and edit response. Make sure it contains:
Clearly stated and strongly maintained idea or argument
Details from the passages to support idea or argument
Variety of sentence types and transitional strategies
Clear and effective expression and logical progression of ideas
Strong introduction and conclusion
Correct spelling and punctuation

27. How is the FCAT 2.0 Science designed?
Grade 5 and 8 students will also take the FCAT 2.0 Science
Based upon the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Percent of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level
Grade
Nature of Science
Earth and Space Science
Physical Science
Life Science
Multiple Choice
17%
29%
25% 8
60-66 Multiple Choice
19%
27%

28. FSA Scores for 2015
Grade 3 will receive scores linked to FCAT 2.0 student performance expectations – basically an FCAT 2.0 score based upon how the student would have scored on the FCAT 2.0 scale. Score will be released at end of school year for promotion/retention purposes.
Grades 4-5 will receive FSA scores after all data has been studied and score ranges set. Scores are anticipated to be released in late Fall 2015.

29. 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 FSA
Review class and homework with your child
Help your child practice the skills they are learning in real- life situations so that the skills have meaning beyond the tests and the classroom
Help your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast
Overemphasizing the tests can increase your child’s anxiety
Work with your child to help them learn how to handle anxiety

30. FSA Portal
The FSA Portal contains all published information regarding FSA assessments, and released Training Tests
FSA Portal:
To access Training Tests:
Click on Students and Parents
Click Training Tests
Click on Training Test Guide for instructions on how to use the training tests
Click on Take the Training Test
Click Sign In
Select Student Grade and Click Yes
Click on test you wish to take

31. Test Rules Acknowledgment
Students will be required to sign (paper tests) or agree to (computer test) the Test Rules Acknowledgment before taking any FSA assessment.
Test Rules read, “During the test, you must no talk to other students or make any disturbance; look at another student’s test or computer screen; ask for help answering any test questions; give help to another student in answering test questions; have notes or scratch paper; have any electronic or recording devices in your possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them; fail to follow any other instructions given. After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, ing, or posting to blogs or websites like Facebook or Twitter. If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.”
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.”

32. 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
Cause for immediate invalidation of test N

33. How are FSA Results Used?
Grade 3 English Language Arts Scores
Students who score a Level 1 on English Language Arts are required (by state law) to go through Good Cause (when possible) before being promoted to 4th grade
Options for Students who Score at Level 1
‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options
Iowa test (Passing Rate typically over 50%)
Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency on Standards
Summer School with a passing score on Iowa test
ESE and 504 with previous retention

34. Florida’s Revised A+ Program
The Florida Department of Education uses FSA/FCAT 2.0 results to evaluate each public school and each school district
Grades are determined through performance on the FSA English Language Arts (Reading and Writing combined), Mathematics, and FCAT 2.0 Science tests.
The school grade is based upon the percentage of total points earned. Each component is worth up to 100 percentage points.
Provisions in the old model that raised or lowered a school’s grade beyond what the percentage of points would indicate have been eliminated
2015 School Grades will be released in late fall

35. Seminole County Public Schools Building Success for Every Student
Helpful Resources
Florida Department of Education Web Site:
FSA Portal:
FSA Portal for Students and Parents
Florida State Standards:
Seminole County Public Schools
Building Success for Every Student