November 17 th 6:30-7:00 p.m.

What is FCAT? (F) Florida (C) Comprehensive (A) Assessment (T) Test Measurement of fifth grade skills Students will take every year grades 3-11

What is the purpose? Individual student growth Statewide growth (Florida)

What is measured by the FCAT? Sunshine State Standards (SSS) Listed on the Department of Education’s website (DOE) Standards taught in the classroom Scoring: Levels 1-5 for reading, math, and science

When do students take the FCAT? April 16-27

How can students prepare? Booklets on the Department of Education’s website FCAT Explorer Pearson Success (math series) Study Jams AR

Reading, Math, and Science Questions

Items Seen on the Reading Section What students will see: wide variety of texts literary text informational text lengthy passages poetry

Reading- Difficulty of Passages GradeLow Complexity Moderate Complexity High Complexity %50-70%15-25% %50-70%10-20% %50-70%5-15%

Types of Passages Forms of Informational Text Forms of Literary Text Subject-area text (e.g., science, history) Magazine and newspaper articles Diaries Editorials Informational essays Biographies and autobiographies Primary sources (e.g., Bill of Rights) Consumer materials How-to articles Advertisements Tables and graphical presentations of text (e.g., illustrations, photographs, and captions) Short stories Literary essays (e.g., critiques, personal narratives) Excerpts Poems Historical fiction Fables and folk tales Plays

Content Areas Tested Vocabulary(8 points) Reading Application(17 points) Literacy Analysis (12 points) Informational Text/ Research (8 points) (possible 45 points)

Reading Samples

Math Sample

Science Sample

Top Ten Tips For FCAT Success!

Tip #10 – Eat a healthy Breakfast Research shows that students who eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of a test perform better. Stay away from extremely sugary or heavy breakfast foods. Fruit, cereal, juice, milk, or a bagel are healthy breakfast choices.

Tip # 9 – Get a Good Night of Sleep Make sure that your student goes to bed early on the night before the testing so that they’ll be refreshed for test day. Try to keep your student relaxed and NOT stressed about testing day.

Tip #8 – Arrive on Time Make sure your child arrives ON TIME for school the day of the FCAT. Students are not permitted into the classroom once testing has started.

Tip #7 – Dress for Comfort See that your child dresses comfortably. Clothing should be weather appropriate. If classrooms are chilly, bring a sweater or coat.

Tip #6 – Accommodations Make sure your child receives any necessary test-taking accommodations. Check with your child’s teacher if you are unsure your child qualifies for accommodations.

Tip #5 – Meet with the Teacher Meet with your child’s teacher as often as possible to discuss your child’s progress. Strong parent and teacher relationships benefit your child. Ask your child’s teacher if there are any activities you can do at home with your child. This could greatly increase your child’s understanding of school work.

Tip #4 – Glasses, hearing aids, meds… If your child wears a hearing aid or glasses, be sure he/she remembers to wear them during all testing sessions. Also, if you child requires medication please administer it before school each day.

Tip #3 – Homework See that your child COMPLETES all homework assignments. Homework supports classroom instruction and can increase your child’s understanding of the content.

Tip #2 – Praise! Give your child ENCOURAGEMENT. Praise him/her for the things done well throughout the year. Children are more likely to make a mistake if they have a fear of failure.

Tip #1 – Attendance Make sure your child attends school regularly. The more often your child is in a learning environment, the more likely they are to SUCCEED on tests.

Thank you!! We appreciate you coming tonight!