Florida Standards
Assessments
(FSA)
Spring 2015
Keeth Elementary
February 3rd, 2015
Agenda
• What are the Florida Standards Assessments?
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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
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 will provide a more authentic assessment of the
Florida Standards, because it will include 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.
• New question types will assess students' higher-order
thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the
Florida Standards.
What are the Florida Standards
Assessments (FSAs)?
• Florida Standards Assessments were developed to measure
student success with the new Florida State Standards
adopted in 2014 and implemented into instruction this
school year
• What subjects are assessed with FSAs?
– English Language Arts (ELA) - Grades 3-11 Reading and Listening
and Grades 4-11 Writing
– Mathematics - Grades 3-8
– End of Course Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry
• Testing contractor - American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Are the tests timed? YES!
• Writing – Grades 4 and 5
• 90 minutes – up to 120 minutes (1 session)
• English Language Arts - Grades 3, 4, and 5
• 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
• Tested over two days
• Mathematics - Grades 3, 4, and 5
• 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
• Tested over two days
• FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5
• 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions)
• Tested over two days
NOTE: Students will be
given short
stretch/water/restroom
breaks during sessions
When are the tests?
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FSA Writing Grades 4-5: March 3
FSA ELA – Grades 3-4: March 24-25
FSA Math – Grades 3-4: March 30-31
FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5: April 13-14
FSA ELA/Math– Grade 5: Begins April 16, Ends by May 8
– Students will be scheduled into sessions until all students are
tested
Paper-based Tests
• Grades 3 and 4 ELA and Math
– Students will receive a Test and Answer Book for each
subject
• Grades 4 and 5 Writing
– Students will receive a Writing Planning Sheet and a Test
and Answer Book
• Transition to computer TBD
• Grade 5 FCAT 2.0 Science
– Students will receive a Test Book and an Answer Book
• Sample Tests will be provided by DOE for Paper Test
subjects – may not include Writing - TBD
Computer-based Tests
• Grade 5 English Language Arts and Math tests will
be a computer-based beginning this year
– Students will be required to 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
How is the FSA English Language Arts designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Grade
3- 5
Key Ideas and
Details
15-25%
Craft and
Structure
25-35%
Integration of
Knowledge and
Ideas
25-35%
Language and
Editing
15-25%
Text-Based
Writing
Number
of Items
56-60
To Be
Determined
4- 5
Depth of Knowledge*
Percentage of Points by Depth of Knowledge Level
Grade
DOK Level 1
DOK Level 2
DOK Level 3
Grades 3-11
10-20%
60-80%
10-20%
Writing component at grades 4-11 is at DOK Level 3.
*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
Test Item Types
• ELA Question Types:
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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)
Test Item Types
• Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses
Test Item Types
• Multiple-Choice with 2 Parts
Test Item Types
• Open Response Questions
• Explain how the texts develop and treat the theme of
freedom in the same way.
Type your response in the space provided.
*1-3 sentences. Clear, concise and to the point - just enough to
answer the question and support it from the text
Test Item Types
• Multi-Select (computer-based)
Test Item Types
• Editing Task (computer-based)
Test Item Types
• Graphics (computer-based)
• Place the characteristics that describe the narrator,
Cassie, or both in the diagram in the correct
locations.
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Sure
Reflective
Adventurous
Cautious
Determined
Biology career
Careless about friendship
Impressed by the ocean
– **Not all words need to be used!
Testing Tips
• Listening Task (computer-based)
• Audio Script:
• [Orientation Statement:] Listen to classmates
Samantha and Orlando prepare for a project.
• SAMANTHA: I did some research online, and I
found rules for how to market to kids. I think
they are a good starting point for our project,
even though we can’t do all of them.
• ORLANDO: Okay, what did you find?
• SAMANTHA: etc……
How is the FSA Mathematics designed?
Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category
Grade
3
4
5
Reporting Category
Operations, Algebraic Thinking, and Numbers in Base Ten
Numbers and Operations - Fractions
Measurement, Data, and Geometry
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
Numbers and Operations - Fractions
Measurement, Data, and Geometry
Operations, Algebraic Thinking, and Fractions
Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
Measurement, Data, and Geometry
Percent of
Test
48
17
35
21
21
25
33
39
28
33
Depth of Knowledge
Percentage of Points by Depth of Knowledge Level for Math
Grade
DOK Level 1
DOK Level 2
DOK Level 3
Grades 3-5
10-20%
60-80%
10-20%
Number of
Items
60-64
60-64
60-64
Test Item Types
• Math Question Types:
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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
Test Item Types
• Multi-Select with 2 Parts/Drag and Drop
Test Item Types
• Graphics (computer-based)
Test Item Types
• Hot Spot (computer-based)
Test Item Types
• Open Response Questions
Test Item Types
• Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses
How is the FSA Writing designed?
• FSA Writing
At elementary, the stimulus will consist of two to four texts, ranging from 800-1300 words each.
Scoring rubrics for FSA Writing can be found on the FSA Portal.
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:
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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
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
Grade
Nature of Science
Earth and Space Science
Physical Science
Life Science
5
60-66 Multiple Choice
17%
29%
29%
25%
8
60-66 Multiple Choice
19%
27%
27%
27%
Percent of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level
FSA Scores for 2015
• Grade 3 will receive scores linked to FCAT 2.0 student
performance expectations – basically an FCAT 2.0
score based upon how the student would have
scored on the FCAT 2.0 scale. Score will be released
at end of school year for promotion/retention
purposes.
• Grades 4-5 will receive FSA scores after all data has
been studied and score ranges set. Scores are
anticipated to be released in late Fall 2015.
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
– Review class and homework with your child
– Help your child practice the skills they are learning in reallife 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
FSA Portal
• The FSA Portal contains all published information
regarding FSA assessments, and released Training Tests
• FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org
• To access Training Tests:
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Click on Students and Parents
Click Training Tests
• Click on Training Test Guide for instructions on how to use the training
tests
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Click on Take the Training Test
Click Sign In
Select Student Grade and Click Yes
Click on test you wish to take
Test Rules Acknowledgment
• Test Rules Acknowledgment
– Students will be required 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, emailing, 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.”
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
How are FSA Results Used?
• FSA results provide teachers and schools with
additional information about each student’s
proficiencies
• Results are used IN ADDITION TO teacher
observations and coursework throughout the year in
making determinations of student strengths and
areas of opportunity
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 have further evaluation
before being promoted to 4th grade
• Options for Students who Score at Level 1
– ‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options
• SAT 10 test
• Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency
– Decisions are made on an individual-student basis
How are FSA Results Used?
• Students who score at Levels 1 or 2 on the English
Language Arts and/or Mathematics tests are required
(by state law) to have intensive remedial assistance
classes during the following school year
– This intensive remediation must be different from previously
received instruction
– Students in this category are progress-monitored to ensure
their success
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
• 2015 School Grades will be released in late fall
Florida’s Revised A+ Program
Elementary School Grades Model
English/
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Achievement
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains
(0% to 100%)
Learning Gains of the Low Learning Gains of the Low
25%
25%
(0% to 100%)
(0% to 100%)
Florida’s Revised A+ Program
Middle School Grades Model
Florida’s Revised A+ Program
High School Grades Model
Helpful Resources
• Contact your child’s teacher and school administrator
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Florida Department of Education Web Site: http://www.fldoe.org
FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org
FCAT School Accountability Reports: http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org
Florida State Standards: http://www.cpalms.org/Public
SCPS Assessment & Accountability Web Site:
http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/testing
Assessment & Accountability Staff
– Kelly Thompson: 407-320-0268 (Kelly Thompson@scps.k12.fl.us)
– Colleen Risner: 407-320-0270 (Colleen_Risner@scps.k12.fl.us)
– Sara Borosky: 407-320-0269 (Sara_Borosky@scps.k12.fl.us)
Seminole County Public Schools
Building Success for Every Student