Bart D. Christie, Principal Carla Rivas, Assistant Principal Fifth Grade Teachers Sera Azcuy Lloyd Cohen Betty Cosculluela Jennie Flores Kristina Saliers Lucy Vargas

Guide to the FCAT 2.0 What is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0?  The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to measure what they know and are able to accomplish in reading, writing and mathematics. The test is part of the Florida’s plan to improve the teaching and learning of higher educational standards. Who takes the FCAT 2.0?  All public school students in Grades 3 through 11 are required to take the FCAT. The tests are given only in public schools, though private school students who receive opportunity scholarships must also take the FCAT. Home education students are tested only if their parents select the FCAT evaluation option.

Guide to the FCAT 2.0 FCAT 2.0 test questions are designed to measure the reading and mathematics skills that students should acquire. The test helps teachers, principals, and superintendents determine the level of success students have with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The purpose of the FCAT 2.0 criterion-referenced test (CRT), is to assess student achievement of the high- order thinking skills represented in the Sunshine State Standards (SSS) and the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science.

Guide to the FCAT 2.0 The FCAT 2.0 Reading measures student achievement in constructing meaning from a wide variety of texts. Reading texts may be either literary or informational. The FCAT Mathematics test require students to solve numerical problems taken from real-life situations. The FCAT Writing assessment requires students to draft a written response to an assigned topic within a designated time period.

Guide to FCAT 2.0 The table below shows the percentages of FCAT 2.0 Reading items on a test for literary and informational texts: GradeLiterary TextInformational Text 550%

Length of Texts The length of reading selections should vary within grade levels and increase across grade levels. The table below show the approximate average lengths of texts. GradeRange of Number of Words per Text Average Number of Words per Text

Test Administrations FCAT 2.0  Writing (Grades 4, 8, 10)  Reading and Mathematics (Grades 3-10)  Science (Grades 5, 8, 11) FCAT ComponentSpring 2014 Reading & Mathematics (Grades 4- 10), Science (Grades 5, 8, and 11) April 22-May 7

FCAT Sample Materials The FCAT 2014 Sample Materials will be available to all students! Reading and Mathematics sample test materials will reflect the new NGSSS Science sample test materials will also be provided No writing sample test materials will be provided Sample answer keys available online only Note: In order to access sample materials please refer to

Guide to FCAT: Reading 2.0 Words & Phrases in Context Main Idea, Plot & Purpose Comparisons & Cause/Effect Reference & Research Meaning of words in context Main ideaUse of comparison and contrast Organization and interpretation of information Word analysisSupporting detailsCause and effect relationships Chronological orderSimilarities and differences among characters, settings and events Author’s purpose in a simple text plot Development & conflict resolution

FCAT Guide: Mathematics 2.0 Number Sense Measurement GeometryAlgebra Data Analysis Identifies +, -, x, ÷, & knows what they do Recognizes measurement and units of measure Describes, draws, identifies, and analyzes two- three dimensional shapes Describes, analyzes, and generalizes patterns, relations, and functions Organizes, interprets, and analyzes data Determines estimates Compares, contrast, and converts measurements Visualizes and illustrates changes in shape Writes and uses expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs and formulas Identifies patterns and makes predictions, inferences, and valid conclusions Knows how numbers are represented and used Uses coordinate geometry Uses probability and statistics

Guide to FCAT: Science Physical and Chemical Science Earth and Space Science Life and Environmental Science Scientific Thinking Energy Forces of Motion Chemical Changes Sound and Light Water Cycle Planet Characteristics Erosion Space Characteristics Plants Food Webs Habitats Animal Adaptations Scientific Process Experimental Design

Guide to FCAT Florida Department of Education web site: