Florida Standards Assessment FSA

All students, grades 3-11, will take the FSA test All students, grades 3-11, will take the FSA test. Current 10th grade students must pass the FSA to graduate.

The FSA will have two parts: Writing and Reading/Listening/Language

Students will write ONE essay – Writing session: March 2-13 1 session – 90-120 minutes Students will write ONE essay – ARGUMENTATIVE EXPLANATORY/INFORMATIVE or LITERARY ANALYSIS Writing will be based on 2-4 texts of 1100-2000 words total

Reading/Listening/Language session: April 13 – May 8 2 sessions over 2 days – 85 minutes each Students will answer multiple choice, multi-select, hot text and open response questions. Answering these questions will require highlighting, moving text, and writing paragraphs to respond to prompts. Students will be asked to read different texts (essays, articles, poems, charts), listen to material, and view different media such as pictures and videos.

STUDENTS MUST TAKE BOTH THE WRITING AND READING SECTIONS OF THE TEST FOR GRADUATION. THE TWO SECTIONS WILL MAKE UP ONE COMBINED SCORE; STUDENTS WHO DO NOT TAKE BOTH SECTIONS WILL NOT RECEIVE A SCORE.

FAQ What is the passing score for the FSA? The state has not determined that yet. We do know that the essays on the writing portion of the test are scored on a 10 point scale. Is the test on paper or on the computer? All FSA testing will be computerized. What will happen to a student who doesn’t pass this year? We don’t know that yet, but some form of remediation is likely.

What do WE need to do to improve our writing for the FSA? Always include a FOCUSED thesis statement to guide your writing. Make sure your thesis answers the whole question. Better develop elaboration of evidence. Always cite your textual evidence – whether in a quote, paraphrase or summary. ALWAYS CITE the AUTHOR AND PAGE, PARAGRAPH OR LINE #.

Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS) http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5390/urlt/0081014-lafs.pdf

Where can I go for more information about the standards? Resources: Parent Guides to Student Success www.pta.org/common_core_standards.asp By grade level Sample of what your child will be working on Activities included for you to support at home Hold up book – PTA has given a sample to each school principal from a grant they received to assist with parent education of the CCSS. Easy to print from home.

FSA Practice tests For practice http://www.fsassessments.org/training-tests