By Bonnie Brooks - Tame the FCAT! The new school year brings excitement, challenges and tests.
The new school year is under way in Florida and my students are doing a great job. Along with the excitement and challenges, however, students in grades 3 through 10 sometimes feel uneasy about the FCAT testing they will face next Spring. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is a standardized criterion-referenced test that measures mastery of selected Sunshine State Standard benchmarks in mathematics, reading, science, and writing. The FCAT is administered annually to public school students in grades 3 through 10. Those students who do not pass in the tenth grade have an opportunity to pass the test again in the eleventh grade. FCAT scores student results on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest achievement level. Students must score a level 3 or above to "pass" the FCAT.
Most students, however, needn't fear the FCAT. Students reading and performing math on grade level generally have no difficulty scoring a level 3 or above on the FCAT if they have kept up with their class work all year. Teachers work hard all year to prepare their classes. Students take FCAT practice tests throughout the year in school. FCAT Explorer is also available, free of charge through the State of Florida, for ongoing FCAT online practice. Students who consistently do well on their FCAT practice tests are well prepared for the real thing in Spring.
If your child is worried about the FCAT, help him or her to prepare for the weekly FCAT practice tests in school and obtain the free password for FCAT Explorer from school for additional practice. Extra assistance in the form of tutoring can be of great help to students as well. Let your child know that the FCAT is not to be feared. It is a chance to "show what you know!" The FCAT can be tamed!
For additional information log onto the Florida Department of Education website at http://www.fldoe.org
and follow the FCAT links or contact us at Advantage U Learning http://www.advantageulearning.com for tutoring - 321 - 253 - 9499. We specialize in math and science tutoring. Advantage U Learning is located in Rockledge, FL which is in central Brevard County, FL.
