IN READING, LANGUAGE, AND LISTENING Grades 6-8 Florida Standards Assessment in English Language Arts

Introduction The Florida Standards Assessment in English Language Arts was approved by the Florida State Board of Education in February 2014 and was fully implemented in grades K-12 in the school year. All Florida schools teach the Florida Standards and the Florida Department of Education has contracted with the American Institute for Research (AIR) to develop and administer new statewide assessments.

Testing Date Computer Based: FSA Grades 5-11 English Language Arts April 11 th – May 6 th, 2016

FSA Session Timing and Length There are 2 sessions of the test given over 2 days. These sessions do not include the Writing Component. The total amount of time for both sessions will be 170 minutes (about 1hr/25min per session). There are a total of 58 – 62 questions on the test.

Computer-Based Testing Florida has been transitioning to computer-based testing since 2010 and will continue to do so in Spring AIR offers a dynamic computer based test delivery system. Students will respond to items in multiple ways, including creating graphs, writing short responses and using other interactive features. The various question types are designed to assess higher order thinking skills and offer exciting new ways for students to show what they know and can do.

MORE THAN JUST MULTIPLE CHOICE Test Design

Students will Place Information into Graphic Organizers Example: Students will be given a timeline with empty boxes for details to be placed. Students will be asked to place the phrases about the character’s life in the correct location on the timeline.

Part A Part B Example: Which statement describes the character’s importance as an explorer? Answer choices are multiple choice. Example: Which statement from the passage supports the response in Part A? Place check mark in the appropriate box. Two Part Questions

More than One Answer Correct and Use of Graphics Example: What three details can the reader get from both the map and the passage? Students must place a check mark next to 3 of the 5 details given.

Written Responses Example: Why does the author use the word “peetrified” instead of “petrified” in this sentence? Type your answer in the space provided.

Part A Part B Example: What is the meaning of the word extravagant as it is used in this sentence from the passage? Example: Select two words or phrases from the passage that help readers determine the meaning of the word. Students must highlight those words or phrases in the paragraph provided. Another Type of Two Part Question Called “Hot Text”

Remove Sentences to Create a Summary A sentence is provided at the beginning and the end to make up the summary. Six sentences are provided for students to choose from to place next to the three numbers between the beginning and ending sentence. Student Directions: Select three sentences to create an objective summary of this passage. Order the sentences so the summary reflects the arrangement of ideas in the passage. Place only one sentence next to each number.

Editing Task Students are asked to read a passage. Directions: There are five highlights in the passage to show which word or phrase may be incorrect. For each highlight, click the word or phrase that is correct. Students can click on the work or phrase and choose the correct word or phrase to replace it with or indicate that it is correct as is. Students should be editing for word choice, wordiness, grammar, and punctuation.

An Additional Editing Task Students are given a passage to read. Directions: There are five highlights in the passage to show which word or phrase may be incorrect. For each highlight, type in the correction. Students must recognize when to change punctuation, eliminate unnecessary words, change pronouns, correct misspelled words, and use proper capitalization.

Listening Task Students will be given an audio script such as a science podcast to listen to. Students will be given questions based on the audio script. Some question items may have more than one correct answer. Some questions may be in multiple choice form.

Text-Based Writing Component The FSA ELA has a Text-Based Writing Component that is administered separately from the rest of the FSA ELA, but it is reported as part of the ELA score. (This is administered earlier to allow time for hand scoring.) Sessions are Computer-Based and given in one session lasting 90 minutes. Students must pass the writing component to pass the ELA test.

Resources Training tests are now available for students and parents to become familiar with the new testing system. The training tests can be accessed at FDOE website at