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2. Were answers to the tests also released?
3. Were earlier tests released?
4. How were the tests released?
5. Are the released tests the actual tests that were administered to students?
6. Why were students’ tests and answer sheets not released?
7. What are field-test questions and anchor questions?
8. Where do students record their answers?
2. What tools/resources can students use during the test?
3. What are FCAT Achievement Levels 1 through 5? What is an acceptable performance level?
4. What score is needed to pass the test?
5. How can students who are visually-impaired take these tests?
6. What allowances are made for students with disabilities who take the FCAT?
7. What allowances are made for English Language Learners (ELLs)?
2. Are there improper uses of the released tests?
2. What kinds of answers must students provide on the FCAT?
3. Are all of the questions on the test on grade level?
4. Are all FCAT questions the same level of difficulty?
5. Why might FCAT questions seem hard to adults?
2. Are there different kinds of questions on the test?
3. What other information is provided about the test questions?
4. How are the FCAT written response questions scored?
These questions, also called performance tasks, are handscored by qualified, trained scorers using criteria developed by Florida educators. All responses to reading and mathematics performance tasks at grades 4, 5, 8, and 10, and writing essays at grades 4, 8, and 10 are scored by one reader. The quality statistics for performance task scoring (e.g., interrater agreements) were consistently high when every response was scored by two readers; therefore, we don’t anticipate any negative effects on student or school average scores with one reader. We will continue to use two readers to score 20 percent of all responses as an additional quality control, but these scores will not be used in calculation of student scores or school grades. A detailed description of performance task scoring and all associated quality control measures is available in the FCAT Handbook—A Resource for Educators. Copies of the guidelines (or rubrics) for scoring written responses are also available on the Department of Education Web site.
5. How is the total score on the FCAT determined?
6. What score is needed to pass the Grade 10 FCAT?
7. Why is the FCAT scored using item response methods and pattern scoring?
8. What information do parents receive about student scores?
2. Why aren’t all tests at all grade levels released every year?
3. How much does it cost to release tests?
4. What are the Department of Education’s plans for releasing tests?
2. What information is provided to parents about the FCAT each year?
2. Return to FCAT Released Tests Home Page
A. Released Tests
1. What tests were released in 2007?2. Were answers to the tests also released?
3. Were earlier tests released?
4. How were the tests released?
5. Are the released tests the actual tests that were administered to students?
6. Why were students’ tests and answer sheets not released?
7. What are field-test questions and anchor questions?
8. Where do students record their answers?
B. Taking the Test
1. How much time are students given to take the test?2. What tools/resources can students use during the test?
3. What are FCAT Achievement Levels 1 through 5? What is an acceptable performance level?
4. What score is needed to pass the test?
5. How can students who are visually-impaired take these tests?
6. What allowances are made for students with disabilities who take the FCAT?
7. What allowances are made for English Language Learners (ELLs)?
C. Using the Released Tests
1. How should the released tests be used?2. Are there improper uses of the released tests?
D. Test Questions
1. How are test questions selected for the FCAT?2. What kinds of answers must students provide on the FCAT?
3. Are all of the questions on the test on grade level?
4. Are all FCAT questions the same level of difficulty?
5. Why might FCAT questions seem hard to adults?
E. Scoring the Released Tests
1. Are the correct answers for the test questions provided?2. Are there different kinds of questions on the test?
3. What other information is provided about the test questions?
4. How are the FCAT written response questions scored?
These questions, also called performance tasks, are handscored by qualified, trained scorers using criteria developed by Florida educators. All responses to reading and mathematics performance tasks at grades 4, 5, 8, and 10, and writing essays at grades 4, 8, and 10 are scored by one reader. The quality statistics for performance task scoring (e.g., interrater agreements) were consistently high when every response was scored by two readers; therefore, we don’t anticipate any negative effects on student or school average scores with one reader. We will continue to use two readers to score 20 percent of all responses as an additional quality control, but these scores will not be used in calculation of student scores or school grades. A detailed description of performance task scoring and all associated quality control measures is available in the FCAT Handbook—A Resource for Educators. Copies of the guidelines (or rubrics) for scoring written responses are also available on the Department of Education Web site.
5. How is the total score on the FCAT determined?
6. What score is needed to pass the Grade 10 FCAT?
7. Why is the FCAT scored using item response methods and pattern scoring?
8. What information do parents receive about student scores?
F. Release of Tests
1. Why did the Department of Education release tests again in 2007?2. Why aren’t all tests at all grade levels released every year?
3. How much does it cost to release tests?
4. What are the Department of Education’s plans for releasing tests?
G. Information About the FCAT
1. What other information is available about the FCAT?2. What information is provided to parents about the FCAT each year?
H. FCAT Released Tests Links
1. How to Use the Released Tests2. Return to FCAT Released Tests Home Page