1. Montessori of Winter Garden Charter School March 2017

2. Agenda What are the Florida Standards Assessments?
Subjects and Grades Assessed
Test Timing
Test Schedule
Test Design and Test Item Types
FCAT 2.0 Science
Score Information
How is the FSA and FCAT 2.0 Science used?
Helpful Resources

3. What are the new Florida Standards?
The new Florida Standards were adopted in 2014 in English/Language Arts and Mathematics to help prepare Florida students for success in college, career, and in life by emphasizing analytical thinking skills.
The new test incudes more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests.
The intent is that the new question types will assess students' higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

4. What are the Florida Standards Assessments (FSAs)?
Florida Standards Assessments were developed to measure student success with the new standards.
What subjects are assessed with FSAs?
English Language Arts (ELA) - Grades 3-11 Reading and Listening and Grades Writing
Mathematics - Grades 3-8
Testing contractor - American Institutes for Research (AIR)

5. Are the tests timed? YES! English Language Arts - Grades 3-7
Writing – Grades 4 – 6
90 minutes – up to 120 minutes (1 session)
English Language Arts - Grades 3-7
160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) 3-5
170 minutes (2 – 85 minute sessions) 6-7
Tested over two days
Mathematics - Grades 3-7
180 minutes (3 – 60 minute sessions) 6-7
FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5
160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
NOTE: Students will be given short stretch/water/restroom breaks during sessions

6. When are the tests? PAPER FSA Writing Grades 4-7: February 28
FSA ELA – Grades 3: March 28-29
FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5: May 1-2
CBA FSA ELA/Math–
Grade 4-5 ELA: April 24-25
Grade 6-7 ELA: April 26-27
Grade 3 Math: May 1-2
Grade 4-5 Math: May 3-4
Grade 6-7 Math: May 9-10

7. Paper-based Tests Grade 3 ELA Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 Writing
Students will receive a Test and Answer Book for each subject
Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 Writing
Students will receive a Writing Planning Sheet and a Test and Answer Book
Grade 5 FCAT 2.0 Science
Students will receive a Test Book and an Answer Book
Sample Tests then click on students and families finally click on tests/

8. Computer-based Tests
Grade English Language Arts and Grade 3-7 Math tests will be a computer-based
Students will participate in a training test session prior to the actual test
Practice using testing platform and tools, answering questions, changing answers, submitting test, etc.
Students will receive a Worksheet as scratch paper for the English Language Arts, and a Work Folder for working Math problems

9. How is the FSA English Language Arts designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Depth of Knowledge*
*Depth of Knowledge refers to the complexity level of the cognitive process demanded by a test item rather than the difficulty of the item. Level 1 = Recall and Reproduction; Level 2 = Skills and Concepts; Level 3 = Strategic Thinking
3-6

10. Test Item Types ELA Question Types: Multiple Choice: Select one answer
Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen
Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic
Open Response: 1-3 sentences (just enough to answer the question and support it from the text)
Hot Text: highlights the sentence (computer-based)
Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)
Editing Task: make edits within the text (computer-based)
Listening Task: Student listens to audio file and answers questions based on what they have heard (computer-based grades 5-11)

11. How is the FSA Mathematics designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Depth of Knowledge

12. Test Item Types Math Question Types:
Multiple Choice: Select one answer
Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen
Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic
Open Response: type or click on numbers and symbols create an answer
Hot Spot: creating items on graphs (computer-based)
Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based)
Drag and Drop: drag numbers, symbols, etc., and place in appropriate area to create an answer

13. How is the FSA Writing designed?
At elementary, the stimulus will consist of two to four texts, ranging from words each. Scoring rubrics for FSA Writing can be found on the FSA Portal.

14. Testing Tips Writing Essay Responses
Read the prompt and determine whether it is asking for information/explanation, or an opinion/argument
Read the texts, looking for details to support information or opinion/argument
Use the Planning Sheet to organize thoughts and details
Write and edit response. Make sure it contains:
Clearly stated and strongly maintained idea or argument
Details from the passages to support idea or argument
Variety of sentence types and transitional strategies
Clear and effective expression and logical progression of ideas
Strong introduction and conclusion
Correct spelling and punctuation

15. How is the FCAT 2.0 Science designed?
Grade 5 and 8 students will also take the FCAT 2.0 Science
Based upon the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Percent of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level
Grade
Nature of Science
Earth and Space Science
Physical Science
Life Science
Multiple Choice
17%
29%
25% 8
60-66 Multiple Choice
19%
27%

16. Helping Your Child Test Preparation
Help your child to realize that it is important to do their best every day, as well as on the FSA
Help your child practice the skills they are learning in real-life situations so that the skills have meaning beyond the tests and the classroom
Help your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast
Overemphasizing the tests can increase your child’s anxiety
Work with your child to help them learn how to handle anxiety

17. FSA Portal Click on Students and Parents Click Training Tests
The FSA Portal contains all published information regarding FSA assessments, and released Training Tests
FSA Portal:
To access Training Tests:
Click on Students and Parents
Click Training Tests
Click on Training Test Guide for instructions on how to use the training tests
Click on Take the Training Test
Click Sign In
Select Student Grade and Click Yes
Click on test you wish to take

18. Test Rules Acknowledgment
Students are asked to sign (paper tests) or agree to (computer test) the Test Rules Acknowledgment before taking any FSA assessment.
Test Rules read, “During the test, you must no talk to other students or make any disturbance; look at another student’s test or computer screen; ask for help answering any test questions; give help to another student in answering test questions; have notes or scratch paper; have any electronic or recording devices in your possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them; fail to follow any other instructions given. After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, ing, or posting to blogs or websites like Facebook or Twitter. If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.”
Test Rules Acknowledgment reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score will be invalidated.”

19. Electronic Devices Reminder
No electronic devices permitted during testing
Students CANNOT have any electronic device (e.g., cell phone, mp3 player, game system, etc.) on them OR within arm’s reach even if they do not use them
Cause for immediate invalidation of test N

20. How are FSA Results Used?
Grade 3 English Language Arts Scores
Students who score a Level 1 on English Language Arts are required (by state law) to go through Good Cause (when possible) before being promoted to 4th grade
Options for Students who Score at Level 1
‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options
Alternative Test (MAP or Other)
Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency on Standards
Summer School with a passing score on Iowa test
ESE and 504 with previous retention

21. Florida’s Revised A+ Program
The Florida Department of Education uses FSA/FCAT 2.0 results to evaluate each public school and each school district
Grades are determined through performance on the FSA English Language Arts (Reading and Writing combined), Mathematics, and FCAT 2.0 Science tests.
The school grade is based upon the percentage of total points earned. Each component is worth up to 100 percentage points.
Provisions in the old model that raised or lowered a school’s grade beyond what the percentage of points would indicate have been eliminated. (EX: Safe Harbor)

22. Old and New School Grade
50% on Student Achievement Levels (Level 3 and above)
50% on Learning Gains
Scores based on old standards and FCAT test
NEW for :
50% on Learning Gains LG (new model for what is considered a LG)
Scores based on new standards and new FSA test
100% on Student Achievement Levels (Level 3 and above)
Scores based on new standards and new FSA test (first time)

23. Helpful Resources
Florida Department of Education Web Site:
FSA Portal:
FSA Portal for Students and Parents
Florida State Standards: