1. FCAT 2.0 and End of Course Assessments Information for Parents & Families of Middle and High School Students

2. Test given in grades 3 -10 Based on Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) in reading, math, science, and writing School-wide FCAT results are used to determine a school’s annual grade What is the FCAT 2.0?

3. Which FCAT 2.0 tests will my child take in Spring 2012? 6th7th8th9th10th Math Reading Science Writing

4. How many questions are on each FCAT 2.0 Test? 6th7th8th9th10th Math 50-55 60-65 Reading 50-55 Science 60-66 Writing 1 prompt 1 prompt

5. How much time is given for each FCAT 2.0 test? ReadingMathScience 6 th 140 minutes *Computer Based 140 minutes 7 th 140 minutes *Computer Based 140 minutes 8 th 140 minutes 160 minutes 9 th 140 minutes *Computer Based 10 th 140 minutes *Computer Based

6. Mathematics What topics are tested on the Mathematics FCAT 2.0? GradeTopics 6 th Fractions, Ratios, Proportional Relationships, and Statistics Expressions and Equations Geometry and Measurement 7 th Number: Base 10 Ratios and Proportional Measurement Geometry and Measurement Statistics and Probability 8 th Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics Expressions, Equations, and Functions Geometry and Measurement

7. Reading What topics are tested on the Reading FCAT 2.0? Students in grades 6 - 10 will be tested on: Vocabulary Reading Application Literary Analysis: Fiction and Non-Fiction Informational Text and Research Process

8. Reading How long are the passages on the Reading FCAT 2.0? Grade Number of words per passage RangeAverage 6 th 200 - 1100700 7 th 300 - 1100700 8 th 300 - 1200700 9 th 300 - 1400900 10 th 300 - 15001000

9. Eighth graders will be tested on: Physical and Chemical Science Earth and Space Science Life and Environmental Science Scientific Thinking Science What topics are tested on the Science FCAT 2.0?

10. Writing What types of prompts are given on the Writing FCAT 2.0? Grade Narrative (tell a story) Expository (explain) Persuasive (convince) 8th 10th

11. writing What are some examples of writing prompts my 8 th or 10 th grader may be given? Example of an expository prompt: Most people enjoy doing some activity. Think about an activity you enjoy. Now explain what you enjoy about this activity. Example of a persuasive prompt: A class plans to eat at a special place for a class celebration. Think about where the class should eat for the celebration. Now write to convince the class why the celebration should be held at the place you think is best.

12. What format are the questions given in on the FCAT 2.0? SubjectMultiple ChoiceGridded ResponseWritten Response Math6, 7, 8 Reading6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Science8 Writing8 and 10

13. What does the student report look like?

14. What does the student report look like (cont.)?

15. How do I understand my child’s FCAT 2.0 results? Reading Scale Score Math Scale Score Achievement Level 6 th 167 - 283170 - 2841-5 7 th 171 - 289179 - 2921-5 8 th 175 - 296187 - 2981-5 9 th 178 – 302n/a1-5 10 th 188 - 302n/a1-5

16. What does the FCAT 2.0 Achievement Level mean? Level Success with Challenging Content of NGSSS Proficient? 1 Inadequate Level of SuccessNO 2 Below Satisfactory Level of SuccessNO 3 Satisfactory Level of SuccessYES 4 Above Satisfactory Level of SuccessYES 5 Mastery (including the most challenging questions)YES

17. Math FCAT 2.0 Math Scale Scores by Achievement Level by Grade Level GradeLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 6 th 170 - 212213 – 226227 - 239240 - 252253 - 284 7 th 179 - 219220 – 233234 - 247248 - 260261 - 292 8 th 187 - 228229 - 240241 - 255256 - 267268 - 298

18. FCAT 2.0 Reading Scale Scores by Achievement Level by Grade Level GradeLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 6 th 167 - 206207 - 221223 - 236237 - 251252 - 283 7 th 171 - 212213 - 227228 - 242243 - 257258 - 289 8 th 175 - 217218 - 234235 - 248249 - 263264 - 296 9 th 178 - 221222 - 239240 - 252253 - 267268 - 302 10 th 188 - 227228 - 244245 - 255256 - 270271 - 302

19. Tests that measure student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for specific courses Created to increase student achievement and improve college and career readiness Given to students taking Algebra, Geometry, Biology and/or US History What are the End of Course (EOC) Assessments?

20. Which End of Course (EOC) assessments will my child take in Spring 2013? Students enrolled in the following courses will take the specified EOC exam: EOC exam Algebra 1, Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra 1B, and Pre-AICE Mathematics 1 Algebra Geometry, Geometry Honors, and Pre-AICE Mathematics 2 Geometry Biology, Biology 1 Honors, Pre-AICE Biology, Biology Technology, Biology 1 Pre-IB, Integrated Science 3, and Integrated Science 3 Honors Biology United States History, United States History HonorsUS History

21. How many questions are on each EOC Assessment? Assessment Number of Questions Algebra55 - 65 Geometry55 - 65 Biology60 - 66 US HistoryTBD Fall 2012

22. How much time is given for each EOC assessment? Assessment Length of Time Given Algebra160 minutes Geometry160 minutes Biology160 minutes US History TBD Fall 2012

23. AlgebraGeometry What topics are tested on the Algebra and Geometry EOC Assessments? EOC Assessment Topics Algebra Functions, Linear Equations, and Inequalities Polynomials Rationals, Quadratics, and Discrete Mathematics Geometry Two-Dimensional Geometry Three-Dimensional Geometry Trigonometry and Discrete Mathematics

24. BiologyUS History What topics are tested on the Biology and US History EOC Assessments? EOC Assessment Topics Biology Molecular and Cellular Biology Classification, Heredity, and Evolution Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems US History TBD Fall 2012

25. What format are the questions given in on the EOC assessments? SubjectMultiple ChoiceFill-in Response Algebra Geometry Biology US History Note: The EOC assessments are computer-based tests.

26. How do I understand my child’s Algebra EOC results? Algebra EOC Achievement Level Algebra EOC Scale Score 1 325 - 374 2 375 - 398 3 399 - 424 4 425 - 436 5 437 - 475

27. How do I understand my child’s Geometry EOC results? Geometry Achievement Level Geometry Scale Score 1 TBD Fall 2012 2 3 4 5

28. How do I understand my child’s Biology EOC results? Biology Achievement Level Biology Scale Score 1 TBD Fall 2012 2 3 4 5

29. How do I understand my child’s US History EOC results? Scores will use a special scale known as a T- Scale that ranges from 20 - 80 The score of 50 will be set at the state-wide average Individual score reports will indicate whether the students’ scores falls within the highest third, middle third, or bottom third levels

30. Together with other data, teachers use the information to: Make instructional decisions Plan individualized lessons Group students according to strengths/needs How will teachers use the FCAT 2.0 and EOC scores to help my child?

31. How can I help my child? Communicate with your child’s teacher; discuss strategies to use at home; work together as a team Encourage your child to read; read with your child Take your child to the library regularly Ask your child to retell stories he or she has read Ask your child “why” questions about what he or she has read Ask your child to compare and contrast stories and characters Provide a quiet environment for your child to study and do homework

32. How can I help my child (cont.)? Find ways for your child to practice writing at home, such as by writing notes to family members. Provide regular encouragement to your child, especially when he or she has done well. Study math facts with your child Encourage your child to think and explain www.fcatexplorer.com (password required) www.fcatexplorer.com www.myon.com (password required www.myon.com www.FLAssessments.com/ePAT

33. Keep a positive attitude toward the test. Help your child relax. Keep a normal routine at home. Make sure that your child has a good night’s sleep. Give your child a good breakfast. How can I help my child right before the test?

34. Hillsborough County Public Schools: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/ HCPS Assessment & Accountability: http://aaaweb.mysdhc.org/assessment1 http://aaaweb.mysdhc.org/assessment1 FCAT Information from FLDOE: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/ HCPS Parent/Family Resource Handbook: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/involvement/Documents/Resource_Gui de/index.asp http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/involvement/Documents/Resource_Gui de/index.asp Where can I get additional information?

35. A child's ideas about education and its significance begin with the parent.