1. Florida Department of Education’s FCAT Explorer
BRIEF
OVERVIEW

2. 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

3. 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

4. Practice Programs

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. Instructional Support

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Educators’ Tools

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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 (

35.
Log on to FCAT Explorer!