Jun 10, 2008 9:53 pm US/Eastern
FCAT Scores Show Small Gain Over Last Year
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
Results show scores across board for this year Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test were up compared to last year.
"Florida's students are to be commended for their hard work and steady progress in reading, math and science," Governor Charlie Crist said. "We are grateful to the teachers of our students, as well as the parents, who reinforce each day the importance of continued learning and strong skills."
According to the Florida Department of Education, approximately 60 percent of students in grades 3 through 10 who took the 2008 FCAT were able to read at or above grade level; that's up from 58 percent in 2007. In math, nearly 66 percent of students performed at or above grade level compared to 63 percent last year.
In the state's elementary schools, grades 3 -5, 70 percent of students were able to read at or above grade level. This was roughly the same percentage as last year, but it is an increase of 16 percent since 2001. In math, 70 percent performed at or above grade level, up 2 percent from last year and 18 percent since 2001. Of the fifth graders who took the science portion of the test, only 43 percent were at or above grade level which was an increase of 1 percent over last year's numbers and a 15 percent increase over 2003 levels.
In the state's middle schools, 61 percent of students in grades 6 -8 read at grade level or above and 61 percent were able to do math skill at grade level or above. The scores reflect a 3 percent increase in reading and a 2 percent increase in math compared to last year's scores. Like elementary school students, science was a problem area. Only 40 percent of middle school students performed at or above grade level; an increase of 2 percent compared to last year.
While high school students, grades 9 and 10, made the greatest gains compared to last year, they continued to be the lowest performers on the reading and science portions of the test.
This year, only 42 percent of high school students were able to pass the reading portion of the FCAT; an increase of 4 percent over last year's scores. In science, only 38 percent were at or above grade level, an increase of only a percentage point over last year's scores. The situation was better in math where 67 percent scored at or above grade; an increase of 4 percent over last year's scores.
Miami Dade County Public schools report substantial improvements were made in mathematics by students in grades 8-10, who outpaced students statewide by as much as 8 points. A greater percentage of Miami-Dade students have scored in Levels 3-5 in every grade tested from 2007 to 2008.
In the science category, a considerable yearly growth was seen in the number of students scoring in Levels 3-5 in all tested grade levels. Miami-Dade students exceeded all students in the state at all three grade levels tested, grades 5, 8 and 11.
"These outstanding results reflect four years of dedication and hard work by our teachers, students, administrators and parents. This progress is shared by the local municipalities, colleges and universities, community organizations, and faith-based institutions that have taken an active role in helping our students succeed," said Superintendent Rudy Crew.
Both Broward and Miami Dade saw a decline in scores in the 5th grade reading exams. In 2008, 66 percent scored at or above grade level in Broward, compared to 73 percent last year. In Miami Dade, 63 percent performed at grade level or above, compared 66 percent last year. School officials said an error artificially inflated last year's scores and the 2008 results were more reflective of student achievement.
The Department of Education reports Hispanic students narrowed the achievement gap with white students by seven percentage points since 2001 in both reading and mathematics. African-American students narrowed the achievement gap with white students by three percentage points in reading and seven percentage points in mathematics since 2001.
"Academic achievement in Florida continues to rise and these results are a clear indication of the high quality of education our students are receiving," said Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith. "I'm particularly pleased with the results we are seeing in math and reading and the focus our schools have maintained on these important subjects. The hard work of our teachers and endless learning capacity of our students impresses me daily."
This Thursday, June 12, parents can log on and view their child's scores via the
FCAT Parent Network using the secure login and password provided by their school. Printed reports, including individual student reports, school reports, district and state reports, will be delivered to school districts next week.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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