FCAT Explorer
FCAT Explorer
From the Florida Department of Education
www.fcatexplorer.com
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Program
Overview
FCAT Explorer
Interactive practice program
FCAT-like practice on all
FCAT-tested strands and
benchmarks
Reinforces important
science concepts
Available at no cost
to all Florida
public schools
Accessible from any
computer connected
to the Internet
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Fidelity with the Official FCAT
Strict adherence to the
Next Generation Sunshine
State Standards and DOE’s
Test Item and Performance
Task Specifications
Rigorous item development
process
 Items drafted by science
teachers and professional
item writers
 Items reviewed by
instructional designers,
testing specialists, and
professional editors
Multiple-choice item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Input from Exemplary Education Professionals
Highly-qualified classroom teachers
 Recommended for
expertise in subject area
and grade level
 National Board Certified
 Members of the National
Science Teachers
Association and recipients
of Presidential Teaching
Awards
 Masters Degrees
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice
FCAT-like practice on all tested
strands and benchmarks
256 FCAT-like practice items
 249 Multiple Choice (MC)
 3 Context Dependent (CD)
 1 Gridded Response (GR)
 3 Short Response (SR)
 12 Short Response Mini Lessons?
Open-response item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice
Number of items per
benchmark based
on teacher
recommendation
 Difficulty of benchmark
 Difficulty for
struggling students
Same style, format,
scope and cognitive
level as FCAT 2.0
Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty
Multiple-choice item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Instructional Support
FCAT Explorer
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Correct
Congratulations!
Correct Answer
Explanation (CAE)
 Confirms the
elements that
make an answer
correct
 Reinforces
effective skill
application
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Incorrect
Includes hints to
clarify the question without
giving away the answer
Immediate second chance
to apply the skill correctly
Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more
difficult science concepts.
FCAT Explorer
Learning Guidance
2nd Attempt
For CORRECT answer, CAE
confirms and reinforces
accurate skill application
For INCORRECT answer,
the CAE:
 Identifies correct
answer
 Explains why the
answer the student
chose was incorrect
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Practice Items
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice Items
Multiple Choice (MC)
Same formatting
details as on FCAT 2.0
Same notation
conventions as on the
FCAT 2.0
Multiple-choice item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice Items
Context Dependent
Multiple Choice (CD)
Students read a short
passage
Answer three multiple
choice items based on
passage content
Students can review
passage at any time
Context-dependent items
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice Items
Short-Response (SR)
Students are
presented with two
sample student
responses and are
asked to select the
high scoring answer
Reinforces writing
skills by comparing
two sample answers.
Short-response item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT-like Practice Items
Extended-Response (ER)
Student reads a response
and assigns it a high or
partial score.
Simulation strategies
recommended by teachers
 Based on classroom
instructional practices
 Requires student to
compare or assess
critical attributes
Extended-response item
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Special Features
FCAT Explorer
Special Learning Features
Glossary
Linked (blue)
words in first incorrect
response
Click speaker icon to
hear word pronounced
Definition
Spanish and Haitian Creole
translations
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Special Learning Features
Read/Inquire/Explain
(RIE) Icon
Available on SR and
ER
Students click on the
RIE icon to view rubric
Rubric helps students
to identify elements
included in high
scoring answers
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Special Learning Features
Challenge List
Links directly to items
answered incorrectly
Helps students focus
on skill improvement
Displays corresponding
strand
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Special Learning Features
Animated Vocabulary
Games
Play one of three
vocabulary games
upon completing a
group of benchmarks
Includes repetition of
question for incorrect
responses
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Special Learning Features
Remedial Lessons
Focuses on big ideas
and more difficult
concepts through
animations and
interactive elements
Teachers are able to
assign lessons
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Educators’ Tools
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Educators’ Tools
Curriculum resources
 Table of Strands and
Benchmarks
Classroom
Teacher’s Desk
 Item Review
School Administrator’s
Desk
 Letter to Parents
Information management tools
 Sign-in names and
passwords
 Progress Reports
 Messages to students
District Administrator’s Desk
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
Student Performance Reports
AT THE CLASSROOM TEACHER’S DESK
Check progress on
individuals or classes
View science data by
Benchmark or Strand
Compare percentage correct
before and after instructional
support
FCAT Explorer
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
Next Generation Sunshine State
Standards and the FCAT 2.0
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
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 presentations
 Program-specific presentations
FCAT Explorer
Toll-Free Help Desk
Accessible from the
home page
without a password
1-888-750-FCAT
1-888-750-3228
Weekdays
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
FCAT Explorer
Science Voyager: Middle School Science
To get sign-in names and 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 (www.fcatexplorer.com)
FCAT Explorer
www.fcatexplorer.com
Log on to
FCAT Explorer!
Science Voyager: Middle School Science