FCAT Science Update for FASS and FAST Orlando, Florida October 2004

Project News Update on Item Specifications Classification System Revision Educator Involvement Content Focus Report New Interpretive Products Upcoming FCAT Science Meetings Plan for Reporting FCAT Science Handouts and Resources

Item Specifications Revision Purpose Improve content and structure of the front matter Revise information regarding cognitive complexity Clarify benchmark specifications (including benchmark clarification statements and content limits) Provide some new sample items

Release Dates for Item Specifications Mathematics ~ Spring 2005 Reading and Science ~ Fall 2005 Writing+ ~ Fall 2005 as Draft Updates Posted to Website

Item Specifications Grade 5 Appendix B Reorganization of also assesses benchmarks under B C.2.2.4D Additional item type (ER) added to C.2.2.4

Item Specifications Grade 8 Appendix B Reorganization of also assesses benchmarks under B.1.3.1F.2.3.3G Reclassification to Annually Assessed F G (rather than G.2.3.4)

Item Specifications Grade 10 Appendix B Reorganization of also assesses benchmarks under A.1.4.3C.1.4.1H Reclassification to Annually Assessed Benchmark A.1.4.3C.1.4.1

Also Revised ….. Scoring Rubrics Zero score point description now more consistent across mathematics, reading, and science Updated rubrics currently on website at

Classification System Redesigned Three levels of complexity Low – recall or simple reproduction of information Moderate – skills and concepts; comprehension and processing High – strategic thinking, prediction, elaboration, extended reasoning

One Year of FCAT Participants Writing Members Content Advisory Prompt Review Item Content Review Rangefinder Rangefinder Review Handscoring Training Science Members Content Advisory Expert Review Gridded Adjudication Item Content Review Rangefinder Rangefinder Review Handscoring Training Performance Review Reading Members Content Advisory Item Content Review Passage Review Rangefinder Rangefinder Review Handscoring Training Math Members Content Advisory Gridded Adjudication Item Content Review Rangefinder Rangefinder Review Sensitivity - 27 Members Reading & Math Science Bias - 50 Members Reading & Math Science Writing 2003 – participants, 38 weeks of meetings, and 76 different meetings Advisory - 49 Members Interpretive Products Assessment & Accountability Technical Norm-referenced Test Computer-based Assessment

Region Crown:16% East Central:21% Panhandle:26% South:22% West Central:15% County Type Rural:19% Urban:39% Suburban:43% County Size Small:21% Medium:41% Large:39% Ethnicity Asian: 1% African Am: 18% Caucasian: 70% Hispanic: 6% Other: 5% Gender Female: 80% Male: 20% One Year of FCAT Participants 2003 – 2004

Content Focus Report Provides details on content measured on 2004 tests in each reporting category Produced for mathematics, reading, and science tests Available on website in October at

New Interpretive Products Florida Inquires Report of the 2004 Released Items Sample Test Materials and Sample Answer Keys 2005 Keys to FCAT 2005 FCAT Update FCAT Handbook

Upcoming Meetings Item Review – October & November Rangefinder Review – December Standards Setting for Grades 5 & 8 – January Rangefinding – May 2005

 ’03 – ’05  Conduct Standards Review and Standards Setting  ’05 – ’06  Report achievement levels  ’06 – ’07  Include science in school grade calculations  ’07 – ’08  Include science in AYP analyses Plan for Reporting FCAT Science

Handouts and Resources Science Scoring Rubric FCAT Committee Descriptions Nomination Form FCAT Committees Appendix B in PDF Watch for more informationwww.fldoe.org

More Questions……. Linda Oravetz FCAT Science Coordinator Florida Department of Education Test Development Center