FCAT 2.0 and
End of Course Assessments
Information for Parents & Families
of Middle and High School Students
What is the FCAT 2.0?
• Test given in grades 3 -10
• Based on Next Generation Sunshine State
Standards (NGSSS) in reading, math,
science, and writing
• School-wide FCAT results are used to
determine a school’s annual grade
Which FCAT 2.0 tests will my child
take in Spring 2012?
6th
Math
Reading
Science
Writing
7th
8th
9th
10th
How many questions are on each
FCAT 2.0 Test?
6th
7th
8th
Math
50-55
50-55
60-65
Reading
50-55
50-55
50-55
9th
10th
50-55
50-55
Science
60-66
Writing
1
1
prompt
prompt
How much time is given for each
FCAT 2.0 test?
6th
Reading
Math
140 minutes
140 minutes
*Computer Based
140 minutes
7th
*Computer Based
8th
140 minutes
9th
140 minutes
10th
*Computer Based
140 minutes
*Computer Based
Science
140 minutes
140 minutes
160 minutes
What topics are tested on the
Mathematics FCAT 2.0?
Grade
Topics
• Fractions, Ratios, Proportional Relationships, and Statistics
6th
• Expressions and Equations
• Geometry and Measurement
• Number: Base 10
7th
•
Ratios and Proportional Measurement
•
Geometry and Measurement
• Statistics and Probability
• Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics
8th
• Expressions, Equations, and Functions
• Geometry and Measurement
What topics are tested on the
Reading FCAT 2.0?
Students in grades 6 - 10 will be tested on:
 Vocabulary
 Reading Application
 Literary Analysis: Fiction and Non-Fiction
 Informational Text and Research Process
How long are the passages on the
Reading FCAT 2.0?
Grade
Number of words per passage
Range
Average
6th
200 - 1100
700
7th
300 - 1100
700
8th
300 - 1200
700
9th
300 - 1400
900
10th
300 - 1500
1000
What topics are tested on the
Science FCAT 2.0?
Eighth graders will be tested on:
 Physical and Chemical Science
 Earth and Space Science
 Life and Environmental Science
 Scientific Thinking
What types of prompts are given on
the Writing FCAT 2.0?
Grade
8th
10th
Narrative
(tell a story)
Expository Persuasive
(explain) (convince)
What are some examples of writing
prompts my 8th or 10th grader may be given?
Example of an expository prompt:
Most people enjoy doing some activity.
Think about an activity you enjoy.
Now explain what you enjoy about this activity.
Example of a persuasive prompt:
A class plans to eat at a special place for a class celebration.
Think about where the class should eat for the celebration.
Now write to convince the class why the celebration should be
held at the place you think is best.
What format are the questions
given in on the FCAT 2.0?
Subject
Multiple Choice Gridded Response Written Response
Math
6, 7, 8
Reading
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Science
8
Writing
6, 7, 8
8 and 10
What does the student report
look like?
What does the student report
look like (cont.)?
How do I understand my child’s
FCAT 2.0 results?
Reading
Scale
Score
Math
Scale Score
Achievement
Level
6th
167 - 283
170 - 284
1-5
7th
171 - 289
179 - 292
1-5
8th
175 - 296
187 - 298
1-5
9th
178 – 302
n/a
1-5
10th
188 - 302
n/a
1-5
What does the FCAT 2.0
Achievement Level mean?
Success with Challenging Content of
Level
Proficient?
NGSSS
1
Inadequate Level of Success
NO
2
Below Satisfactory Level of Success
NO
3
Satisfactory Level of Success
YES
4
Above Satisfactory Level of Success
YES
5
Mastery
(including the most challenging questions)
YES
FCAT 2.0 Math Scale Scores by
Achievement Level by Grade Level
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
6th
170 - 212 213 – 226 227 - 239 240 - 252 253 - 284
7th
179 - 219 220 – 233 234 - 247 248 - 260 261 - 292
8th
187 - 228 229 - 240 241 - 255 256 - 267 268 - 298
FCAT 2.0 Reading Scale Scores by
Achievement Level by Grade Level
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
6th
167 - 206
207 - 221 223 - 236 237 - 251 252 - 283
7th
171 - 212
213 - 227 228 - 242 243 - 257 258 - 289
8th
175 - 217
218 - 234 235 - 248 249 - 263 264 - 296
9th
178 - 221
222 - 239 240 - 252 253 - 267 268 - 302
10th
188 - 227
228 - 244 245 - 255 256 - 270 271 - 302
What are the End of Course (EOC)
Assessments?
•
Tests that measure student achievement of the
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
(NGSSS) for specific courses
•
Created to increase student achievement and
improve college and career readiness
•
Given to students taking Algebra, Geometry,
Biology and/or US History
Which End of Course (EOC) assessments
will my child take in Spring 2013?
Students enrolled in the following courses will take
the specified EOC exam:
EOC exam
Algebra 1, Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra 1B, and
Pre-AICE Mathematics 1
Algebra
Geometry , Geometry Honors, and
Pre-AICE Mathematics 2
Geometry
Biology, Biology 1 Honors, Pre-AICE Biology,
Biology Technology, Biology 1 Pre-IB,
Integrated Science 3, and Integrated Science 3
Honors
Biology
United States History, United States History Honors
US History
How many questions are on each
EOC Assessment?
Assessment
Number of
Questions
Algebra
55 - 65
Geometry
55 - 65
Biology
60 - 66
US History
TBD Fall 2012
How much time is given for each
EOC assessment?
Assessment
Length of Time
Given
Algebra
160 minutes
Geometry
160 minutes
Biology
160 minutes
US History
TBD Fall 2012
What topics are tested on the
Algebra and Geometry EOC Assessments?
EOC
Assessment
Topics
• Functions, Linear Equations, and Inequalities
Algebra
• Polynomials
• Rationals, Quadratics, and Discrete Mathematics
• Two-Dimensional Geometry
Geometry
•
Three-Dimensional Geometry
•
Trigonometry and Discrete Mathematics
What topics are tested on the
Biology and US History EOC Assessments?
EOC
Assessment
Topics
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
Biology
• Classification, Heredity, and Evolution
• Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems
US History
TBD Fall 2012
What format are the questions
given in on the EOC assessments?
Subject
Multiple Choice
Fill-in Response
Algebra
Geometry
Biology
US History
Note: The EOC assessments are computer-based tests.
How do I understand my child’s
Algebra EOC results?
Algebra EOC
Achievement
Level
Algebra EOC
Scale
Score
1
2
3
4
325 - 374
5
437 - 475
375 - 398
399 - 424
425 - 436
How do I understand my child’s
Geometry EOC results?
Geometry
Achievement
Level
Geometry
Scale
Score
1
2
3
4
TBD Fall 2012
5
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
How do I understand my child’s
Biology EOC results?
Biology
Achievement
Level
Biology
Scale
Score
1
2
3
4
TBD Fall 2012
5
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
TBD Fall 2012
How do I understand my child’s
US History EOC results?
• Scores will use a special scale known as a T- Scale
that ranges from 20 - 80
• The score of 50 will be set at the state-wide average
• Individual score reports will indicate whether the
students’ scores falls within the highest third, middle
third, or bottom third levels
How will teachers use the FCAT 2.0
and EOC scores to help my child?
Together with other data, teachers use the
information to:
• Make instructional decisions
•Plan individualized lessons
•Group students according to strengths/needs
How can I help my child?
• Communicate with your child’s teacher; discuss strategies to
use at home; work together as a team
• Encourage your child to read; read with your child
• Take your child to the library regularly
• Ask your child to retell stories he or she has read
• Ask your child “why” questions about what he or she has
read
• Ask your child to compare and contrast stories and characters
• Provide a quiet environment for your child to study and do
homework
How can I help my child (cont.)?
• Find ways for your child to practice writing at home, such as
by writing notes to family members.
• Provide regular encouragement to your child, especially
when he or she has done well.
• Study math facts with your child
• Encourage your child to think and explain
• www.fcatexplorer.com (password required)
• www.myon.com (password required
• www.FLAssessments.com/ePAT
How can I help my child right
before the test?
Keep a positive attitude toward the test.
Help your child relax.
Keep a normal routine at home.
Make sure that your child has a good night’s sleep.
Give your child a good breakfast.
Where can I get additional
information?
•Hillsborough County Public Schools: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/
•HCPS Assessment & Accountability:
http://aaaweb.mysdhc.org/assessment1
•FCAT Information from FLDOE: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/
•HCPS Parent/Family Resource Handbook:
http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/involvement/Documents/Resource_Gui
de/index.asp
A child's ideas about
education and its
significance begin with the
parent.