Florida Department of Education’s FCAT Explorer BRIEF OVERVIEW

FCAT Explorer Interactive, benchmarks- based practice programs Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet Students automatically enrolled Includes Educator Resources and a Parent & Family Guide

Access to all programs A student’s sign-in name and password provides access to all programs Struggling students can experience success in easier programs and work their way up

Practice Programs

MATH PROGRAMS READING PROGRAMS SCIENCE PROGRAMS Math Station: Elementary Mathematics Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks Reading Factory: 6th Grade Benchmarks Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks Science Station: Elementary Science Science Voyager: Middle School Science Science Mission: Biology

Reading, Math, and Science Practice Updated to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications Practice items provide explicit reinforcement of the FCAT 2.0-tested benchmarks Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks

Reading, Math, and Science Practice Designed with the help of teachers and testing specialists Graphics explicitly illustrate science and math concepts or reading content Reading and math practice is set in the context of other subject area standards Math Navigator: Middle School Science

Special Features GLOSSARY CHALLENGE LIST Click linked (blue) words Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Click linked (blue) words Click ear icon to hear word pronounced Spanish and Haitian Creole translations CHALLENGE LIST Links directly to incorrect items Helps students focus on skill improvement Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks

Reading Practice PASSAGES Same average length and readability level as on the FCAT Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Adaptive support model adjusts passage and instructional support level Vocabulary exercises and activities teach potentially challenging words 3rd grade readability level: 36 reading passages & 197 multiple-choice items 2nd grade readability level: 36 reading passages & 197 multiple-choice items

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks Pre-reading vocabulary exercises Adaptive Support 32 reading passages 248 multiple-choice, short-, and extended-response items, plus a resource for open- response items

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Factory: 6th Grade Benchmarks Adaptive Support Instructional games reinforce vocabulary 27 reading passages 253 multiple-choice, short-, and open-response items

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks Main Idea Workshop Adaptive support (grades 4 through 8) Passage topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music 60 reading passages 285 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and open-response items

FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks Includes a pre-test and post-test for those in 10th grade and above Features 8 remedial reading comprehension lessons 23 reading passages 250 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and open- response items

Math Practice Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest Item topics drawn from other subject area standards Science Social Studies The Arts Health Education Physical Education Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics

FCAT Explorer Math Programs Math Station: Elementary Mathematics Motivational instructional games reinforce math skills Item topics drawn from areas of health, sports, history, and geography 162 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short- response questions

FCAT Explorer Math Programs Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0 Item topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music 146 multiple-choice, gridded-, and short-response items

FCAT Explorer Math Programs Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT 2.0 Timeline-themed navigation places items in a variety of historical periods 320 multiple-choice and gridded-response items Math Machine includes 6 remedial lessons

Science Practice Reviewed by teachers for difficulty level, age-appropriate content, and student interest Updated content reflects the New Generation Sunshine State Standards used for FCAT 2.0 Science Station: Elementary Science

FCAT Explorer Science Programs Science Station: Elementary Science Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science concepts Annually assessed benchmarks include context dependent items 200 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and context- dependent items

Science Voyager: Middle School Science Vocabulary exercises reinforce important science concepts Remedial lessons available 256 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-, and open- response items

Science Mission: Biology Vocabulary exercises increase science fluency Remedial lessons focusing on the nature of science 4 Mini Lessons review the periodic table, active and passive transport, plant and animal cells, and chemical reactions 168 multiple-choice, gridded-, short-, extended-, and open- response items

Instructional Support

Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT Congratulations! Correct Answer Explanation (CAE) Confirms the attributes that make an answer correct Reinforces effective skill application Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks

Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT Feedback and tools help student figure out correct answer Common error feedback in math programs offers suggestions for how to think about the problem Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics

Instructional Support Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks 2nd ATTEMPT For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces effective skill application For INCORRECT answer, CAE coaches student in figuring out right answer to similar questions in the future Math Timeline: High School Mathematics

Educators’ Tools

Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features Create and/or edit class roll Review progress reports on individuals or classes Resource Center Skills Location Map Table of Benchmarks and Skills Item Review View instructional games and modify token rates Send messages to students

Student Performance Reports Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features Student Performance Reports Check progress on individuals or classes View math data by theme, strand, or benchmark View science data by benchmark or strand. View reading data by skill or passage Compare percentage correct before and after Learning Guidance

School Administrator’s Desk Features Access teacher and student password lists (available in text and spreadsheet formats) Review, add, and edit student information Review, add, and edit information about teachers and classes Create student, class, or school reports

District Administrator’s Desk Features Review school, teacher, and class information Review monthly reports on student activity and performance by district or school

The Parent & Family Guide Accessible from the home page without a password Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the programs, the New Generation Sunshine State Standards, and the FCAT 2.0

Visit the Educator Resources Page Linked from the home page Download this PowerPoint presentation Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual Download other PowerPoints Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations

To get sign-in names & passwords SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Contact your district office and speak to the FCAT Explorer District Administrator TEACHERS Contact your FCAT Explorer School Administrator FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)

www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to FCAT Explorer!