FCAT Parent Night Mater Gardens Academy It’s Time

What is the FCAT 2.0/FCAT?  The FCAT 2.0/FCAT is the only test administered statewide in Florida public schools that is directly linked to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards/Sunshine State Standards.  The FCAT 2.0/FCAT was designed to represent the kinds of tasks and activities that parents and teachers expect as part of good instruction.  The FCAT 2.0/FCAT Reading, Mathematics, and Science tests require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the information presented and to apply strategies or procedures they have learned. The level of thinking required of students goes beyond the recall of facts and literal comprehension required in many standardized tests. Similarly, FCAT Writing topics require students to apply their writing skills by drafting an original piece of writing in response to a real-world topic.

When is the FCAT 2.0/ FCAT?  February 26 th & 27 th (Writing)  The weeks of April 15 th -24 th, 2013 (Reading, Math & Science) *Specific dates are forthcoming…

What FCAT Subject Area Test will my child take? ReadingWritingMathScience &76&7

FCAT Question Formats by Grade TestQuestion Format ContentMultiple Choice Gridded Response Performance Tasks Reading Grade 3-7 Math Grade 3-7Grade 4 & 5 Science Grade 5

FCAT Reading, Mathematics, & Science Approximate Number of Questions and Duration by Grade Level ReadingMathematicsScience 3rd MC 140 minutes MC 140 minutes NT 4th MC 140 minutes MC GR 140 minutes NT 5th MC 140 minutes MC GR 140 minutes MC 110 minutes 6th MC (on the computer) 140 minutes MC GR 140 Minutes NT 7 th MC (on the computer) 140 Minutes MC GR 140 Minutes NT Key NT = Not Tested MC = Multiple Choice GR = Gridded Response

FCAT 2.0 Reading Reporting Categories Measures ability in four areas. The content becomes more challenging and contains specific differences as students progress from one grade level to the next as shown in the chart. GradesVocabularyReading Application Literary Analysis Fiction/ Nonfiction Informational Text/ Research Process %25-35% 15-25% -Context, -Basewords/Affixes -Antonyms/Synonyms -Multiple Meanings/ Analyzing Words in Text -Author’s Purpose / Perspective -Main Idea -Relative Details -Conclusions/ Inferences -Chronological Order -Cause/Effect -Text Structure -Theme/Topic -Compare/ Contrast -Plot Development -Character Development -Character Point of View -Setting -Problem/ Solution -Descriptive Language -Figurative Language -Text Features -Locate, Interpret, Organize Information -Text Features -Validity & Reliability of Information (GRADE 5 & 6 ONLY) - RED represents NEW tested skills in the FCAT 2.0

Distribution of FCAT Reading Test Items by Passage and Length Grade Number of Words per Passage AverageRange

Informational Passages Provides readers with facts and information about a subject Tables, illustrations, photographs, and captions Subject-area text (e.g. science, history) Magazine or newspaper articles Biographies and autobiographies How-to articles Diaries Editorials Advertisements

Literary Passages Short-stories Literary essays Excerpts from novels Poems Fables and folktales Historical Fiction Plays Written primarily for readers’ enjoyment

FCAT Mathematics Content FCAT Mathematics covers five content areas. Students in Grades 3–10 respond to questions from some of these areas, depending on their grade level. NUMBER SENSE, CONCEPTS, AND OPERATIONS MEASUREMENT GEOMETRY AND SPATIAL SENSE ALGEBRAIC THINKING DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY

FCAT Mathematics Content 1 NUMBER SENSE, CONCEPTS, AND OPERATIONS 2 MEASUREMENT 3 GEOMETRY, AND SPATIAL SENSE 4 ALGEBRAIC THINKING 5 DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBIBILITY 6 FRACTIONS, RATIOS, PROBABILITY& STATISTICS identifies +, –, x, ÷ & knows their function determines estimates knows how numbers are represented & used recognizes measurements & units of measure compares, contrasts, & converts measurements describes, draws, identifies, & analyzes two- & three- dimensional shapes visualizes and illustrates changes in shape uses coordinate geometry describes, analyzes, & generalizes patterns, relations, & functions writes and uses expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs, & formulas organizes, interprets, & analyzes data identifies patterns & makes predictions, inferences, & valid conclusions uses probability & statistics Multiply & divide fractions Evaluate expressions Analyze & solve problems

Achievement Levels Policy Definitions LevelDefinition 5 This student has success with the most challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 5 answers most of the test questions correctly, including the most challenging questions 4 This student has success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 4 answers most of the test questions correctly, but may have only some success with questions that reflect the most challenging content. 3 This student has partial success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards, but performance is inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3 answers many of the test questions correctly but is generally less successful with questions that are the most challenging. 2 This student has limited success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards 1 This student has little success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards.

How can parents help? Available Resources:  FCAT Explorer  Riverdeep  IXL Math  Reflex Math  Gizmo  Reading Plus  Florida Reading Ready  CARS Reading Intervention Program  STARS Mathematics Intervention Program  Accelerated Reader  Florida Coach Mathematics Students can log-in to their STUDENT PORTAL and access all of these resources.

How can parents help? (cont’d)  Take your child to the library.  In addition to books, your neighborhood library will have books on tape, computers, and other useful resources  Help them improve their oral reading fluency  Ask questions about what they read (science, social studies, novels…use the FCAT Task Cards to guide comprehension)  Have them summarize what they read (orally or in writing)

How can parents help? (cont’d)  Stress the importance and relevance of reading in their daily lives (present and future)  Read with your child  Enroll your child in after-school tutoring  Talk and listen to your child (besides strengthening the family, this will improve your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge)  Tell your child often that you believe in his or her ability to do well

How can parents help? (cont’d)  Make sure your child attends school regularly.  Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or her progress.  Encourage your child, especially when he or she does well.  Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home.  Make sure that your child is well rested on school days, especially on test days.  Give your child a well-rounded diet. This will help ensure a healthy body and a healthy, active mind.  Provide books and magazines for your child.  Don’t be too anxious about your child’s test scores. The best advice you can give your child is to “just relax and do your best.”

How can parents help?  Stay in touch with the teachers Monitor your child’s progress Teachers appreciate your involvement Ask for guidance when you have concerns or questions  Be aware of expectations / requirements Know what is expected for each grade level and subject area Review homework assignments each evening Have your child read daily for at least 30 minutes Monitor your child while they use the computer practice programs at least 3 times a week

How can parents help? (cont’d) Monitor their silent reading time (30 minutes per day)

How can parents help? (cont’d) Limit your child's TV watching

How can parents help? (cont’d) Go to the library and find books that explore the themes of the TV shows that your child watches

Students should…  Learn how to answer each type of question (use the FCAT Task Cards).  Read each question carefully  Read each answer completely- the first part of the answer might be correct, but not the end of the answer  Know there is no penalty for guessing. Therefore, it is best to try to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answer

Students should…  Find the answer to the question in the passage. Look for the answer in the MC responses (90% chance of getting it right)  Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere  Be specific when answering short or extended responses, do not use pronouns  Understand feelings and emotions

Smart steps to do well on tests…  Have pens, pencils, and erasers ready.  Breathe deeply and slowly. 3. Quickly look over the entire test before starting. 4. Read the directions carefully. 5. Watch the clock; budget time carefully. 6. Don’t try to finish first. 7. Mark difficult questions and come back to them later. 8. Proofread answers before turning in test.

How can I access FCAT test samples? If you wish to familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked on the FCAT, you may review the “FCAT Sample Questions and Answer Key Books ( )” at

Interesting Facts Find out FACTS and TIPS about the test your child is taking at Reviewed for bias and sensitivity- therefore mostly about nature If words are not at grade level, they are footnoted In order for a child to score a level 3 on the FCAT test, 50% of the questions must be answered correctly

FCAT Online Resources  Keys to FCAT-  Frequently Asked Questions About the FCAT- =179&Cat=95 =179&Cat=95  Released Tests & Sample Test Materials

Thank you for your continued dedication in your child’s education! Your Mater Gardens Family