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Testing in Florida: An Overview

A GreatSchools guide to standardized tests

By GreatSchools Staff

Although test results are only one measure of student achievement, they have become increasingly important in assessing student learning. In 2008-2009 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to track how well students are performing in core academic areas. Students are tested in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math; in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in science. High school students must pass the grade 10 FCAT in order to graduate. The FCAT is standards-based, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.

Based on the FCAT scores, schools receive grades ranging from A to F under the Florida School Grades program.

Although test results can be an indicator of what's happening in the classroom, they don't tell you everything about the quality of a school. Always look at more than one measure when judging school performance and visit in person before making any final determination.

The information provided on GreatSchools profiles is for the 2008-2009 school year.

Tests in Florida

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT, pronounced "ef-cat") is a test given annually to all students in grades 3 through 11. The test is given to students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math, and students in grades 5, 8 and 11 take the FCAT science test. A writing test is given to students in grades 4, 8 and 10. The FCAT is a criterion-referenced test (CRT) based on the Sunshine State Standards (SSS), which measures how well students are learning specific skills defined by the state. Through 2007-2008, the FCAT included a norm-referenced test (NRT), which measured how well students in Florida performed compared to their peers nationwide; however the FCAT NRT was discontinued in 2008-2009.

SSS: Sunshine State Standards

The Sunshine State Standards are Florida's state learning standards, which set expectations for student achievement. They are divided into eight subject areas: the arts, foreign languages, health, physical education, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Each of these standards is divided into grade clusters (pre K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12), giving school districts some flexibility in designing curriculum. As Florida strives for more accountability, the Sunshine State Standards for the subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies have been further refined into specific grade-level expectations. Part of the FCAT measures achievement of the standards in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

When is the FCAT given?

The FCAT is given during February and March. It is given early so that scores can be returned before the end of the school year.

What types of questions are on the FCAT?

The FCAT includes multiple-choice, gridded-response (fill in the blanks) and performance tasks (such as essays). The multiple-choice and gridded-response questions are machine scored. Each performance-task test is scored by two trained readers.

You can see some of the 2009 tests at the Florida Department of Education's Assessment and School Performance page.

How are the tests scored?

FCAT results report the level of proficiency a student demonstrates in each of the subject areas tested, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

FCAT Writing reports proficiency on a scale of 1 to 6, with level 3.5 and higher considered to be meeting standards. A multiple choice portion of the test was eliminated in 2008-2009.

How are FCAT results reported?

There are several types of scores for the FCAT. For reading, math, and science, mean scores are reported on a scale of 100 to 500, with 500 being the highest score. Grade-level/subject-level scores are given in terms of five achievement levels, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. The writing portion of the test is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. Scores are sent to students, schools and school districts, and are posted on the Florida Department of Education's Web site.

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Comments from GreatSchools.org readers

12/15/2009:

"For the school year 2007-2008 my son who was in the 7th grade and my daughter who was in the 10th grade but she was homeschooled. Both of them have always been in the top percentile of all sections of the fcat including reading. It turns out BOTH of my kids failed the reading section. I do not believe they failed it I think it was a matter of the test being read and graded. There is no way a child gets high scores on previous fcat tests and in school to have failed it. This past school year-2008-2009 my soon took fcat and passed with high scores. My daughter went to take it but the school in our district refused to allow her to do so because she was being homeschooled. Turns out after was too late, the school was in the wrong. Now this year she should be graduating and because the Escambia County School district in Pensacola, Florida are stealing her credits she quit school. She is going through an adult high program to get her diploma. These people think they know the best! for our kids when are they going to realize if they do not listen to the parents or kids will always make wrong decisions. This is our kids future not theirs!!!!"

08/28/2008:

"I think is about time the guidelines get revised. What does it take for the people in the position to make a change, to make a change? School used to be fun, now teachers are pressured to get all this material for most but 7 weeks of the whole school year so that the school gets an A rating and they get their extra $2,500 at years end if that does happen? This is ridiculous ans inmoral. A teacher should teach because they have a vocation. Of course a little bonus doesn't hurt, we would all want that, but at the expense of our kids futures? The teachers don't have extra time to dedicate to the student that is a bit behind because they need to continue with the curriculum, how can they do that? Don't they have a conscience? Granted, the better students will always get ahead but they too are affected since the FCAT us based on the basic of the subject... This is why this country, and I do love America and would die for my coutry, is so behind when it comes to education. Ou! r curriculums do not measure up to par with other nations, even a 3rd world country like India or any Latin American country would beat any student from elementary all the way to College in knowledge of any kind. I came to this country at the age of 13 and I was told if I passed summer school I would not have to be put back a grade because I spoke no English. I passed with A's & Bs. I couldn't believe how easy my classes where. Thinds I had learned in Elementary School back home where being taught in HS! What is the secret? Maybe the fact that school is seen as a pressure and axiety building place for many kids is one factor for them to be stressed about learning... I am no expert in the field but I am worried. I moved to FL from NYC and I thought I would find a better educational system here.. Not so. In first grade my children where taken to the Guggenheim Musem to learn about abstract art, and this was a public school, they had fieldtrips to pumpkin patches in the ! fall and the zoo in the summer... That is how children should ! envision school, a fun place to learn and discover things you never knew. What will it take for the Dept of Education to accept that there is a problem with the system here in the State of Florida? it is a dead end street right now and nobody is willing to make any changes. "

01/18/2008:

"I regret to inform you that I am against this law. I have a 16 year old who is doing exceptionally well in her academic classes and yet she is having second thoughts about continuing her education any further due to this law. She was informed that if she does not pass the reading portion of the FCAT this year, she will not graduate with a diploma. Now, will someone please tell me, what do you tell a child when that child is a very good student with an aspiring future and feels as though her entire education is a hoax (a flop) because if she does not pass the FCAT she will not be able to attend a good college/university to pursue her degree of 'Criminal Justice'. Colleges/universities want to see a high school diploma, not a certificate of completion. How can this be fixed? I'm sorry, but I'm very concerned about this and very scared for my daughter's future, but my hands are tied thanks to this law."

10/19/2007:

"My advice to the post dtd, 08/19/2007, 06/29/2007: I understand your frustration behind a student and IEP requirements. ESE administrators are to adhere to an individuals IEP, or currently this would be a FEDERAL concern. Donot settle for less then what is written on the students IEP. The resources should be made available. As a parent of a high school student IEP, complacency places a major role when policies are to be followed through. Its our responsibility as parents to ensure policies which are outlined in our childs IEP are being followed by the our childs teacher. The ESE dept of the school is to make any changes necessary to accommadate the student. The principle should be notified if this is not being done. Then you have the ESE district manager, who usually is too busy. Keep going up the food change until the State is made aware...yes, time consuming, there are also advocate groups for the disable/w lawyers or your own personal lawyer which advocates persons with educational needs and disabilities. Discrimation is a horrific thing to experience. "

08/19/2007:

"My child attends school in St Johns County, Jacksonville, FL. I think it's really a system problem with Florida Schools and FCAT. The rules don't make common sense for all. My child is in the 6th grade and has an IEP and ESE student. My child has always had an IEP. We have only been in Florida for two years. It's difficult to get anyone from the school to explain procedures about intensive reading programs, P.E. requirements, FCAT, high school graduation. I'm concerned about my childs ESE and IEP needs. And really have received little help from the school or the entire St Johns County School district. I have read and heard many sad stories from other families. It's very disappointing for all students."

06/29/2007:

"My granddaughter made average and above grades in all subjects during her current 3rd grade year. She has visual needs diagnosed by a doctor who provided accommodation list to the school. The school ignored it. A meeting was scheduled with the appropriate school committee including the assistant principal and guidance counselor along with the student's parent. A 504 plan was implemented based on the doctor's diagnosis and recommendations. The student's father was told that his daughter was in jeopardy of not passing third grade due to FCAT scores. The doctor's recommendation was to have enlarged print tests and materials which were never provided. The student had to attend Summer Reading Camp (Summer School at her elementary school this summer) and took the Stanford 9 Reading Comprehension portion without enlarged print. The assistant principal told the child's father a large print edition of the test would be provided. It was not. She did not achieve the passing score on it and was told she has to repeat 3rd grade. An outside professional tested the student again with large print Stanford 9 Reading Comp portion and instead of being in 31 percentile, she scored in the 87 percentile but the school will not accept the additional professional testing. The student reads well...the teacher even said she does...but the Seminole County School District does not allow for any appeal process in this situation. We are extremely frustrated with everyone involved. Lawton Elementary is supposed to be a good school but I am beginning to believe it does not have the student's best interest as a factor; only the FCAT school grade. I am also a professional education in administration at a local school and have a background knowledge of the system and it is broken. Public school teachers ONLY teach to t! he FCAT instead of having the opportunity to teach students. The policy makers in Florida have created a disservice to the students and teachers with the FCAT. There is a valid need for evaluations and assessments but not to the detriment of considering individual situations for students. If a student worked hard and passed all subjects in a grade level, then the FCAT should not be the deciding factor. Some students just don't test well in standardized testing but do succeed in academic classroom standards."

05/25/2007:

"MY CHILDREN GO A FT LAUDERDALE, FL SCHOOL THAT DID EXTREMELY WELL ON THE FCAT. IM HAPPY ABOUT THAT.. HOWEVER I AM CONCERNED NOW THAT I HEAR FROM TEACHERS IN OTHER SCHOOLS THAT THE FCAT IS BASED ON BASIC ACADEMIA. SO WHERE IS THE MEASURE OF HOW MUCH 'EXTRA' OUR CHILDREN ARE LEARNING? I SEE THEIR HOMEWORK BUT I DON'T ALWAYS FEEL THAT THE KIDS ARE THAT MUCH CHALLENGED. I VOLUNTEER A BIT BUT AM NOT THERE DAY AFTER DAY SO MAY BE I'M WRONG THAT MORE WOULD BE PUSHY AND STRESSFUL BUT I THINK WE SHOULD MEASURE THIS JUST AT LEAST ON A FYI BASIS. THOSE WHO ARE UP TO IT SHOULD BE PUT INTO GROUPS THAT CAN DO IT INSTEAD OF BEING HELD TO A LIMIT YEAR AFTER YEAR. "