Rick's Blog

After nine years of FCAT, high schools aren’t better

After nine years of teaching to FCAT tests at every level, we should see FCAT scores improve at high school. The high school grades should improve because the students are so well-versed in the FCAT. Of course, it’s not happening.

To compute a school’s grade the percentage meeting high standards in reading, math and writing; percentage making learning gains in reading and math; and percentage of lowest 25 percent making learning gains in reading are added together for a total school score. In 2007, percentage meeting high standards in science and percentage of lowest 25 percent making learning gains in math were added to calculation total points.

If we drop percentage meeting high standards in science and percentage of lowest 25 percent making learning gains in math, we can compare the total score to the years before those components were added to the school score.

Pensacola High School had last year the fewest total points in its FCAT history (after the adjustments), tying 2002-03 school year.

 

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

465

353

2008-09

502

385

2007-08

485

368

2006-07

469

349

2005-06

 

362

2004-05

 

359

2003-04

 

355

2002-03

353

2001-02

382

 

 

Pine Forest had its worst year ever after the adjustments:

 

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

414

324

2008-09

438

346

2007-08

443

333

2006-07

439

327

2005-06

 

327

2004-05

 

327

2003-04

 

335

2002-03

344

2001-02

368

 

So did Washington High – which gets students from some of the best elementary schools in the district:

 

WASHINGTON

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

452

351

2008-09

473

368

2007-08

510

394

2006-07

480

371

2005-06

 

388

2004-05

 

369

2003-04

 

382

2002-03

389

2001-02

383

 

 

Here are the other high schools

 

 

TATE

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

494

385

2008-09

489

383

2007-08

506

395

2006-07

478

365

2005-06

 

399

2004-05

 

364

2003-04

 

363

2002-03

390

2001-02

372

ESCAMBIA

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

459

356

2008-09

469

366

2007-08

460

350

2006-07

434

323

2005-06

 

355

2004-05

 

350

2003-04

 

338

2002-03

361

2001-02

343

 

 

WEST FLORIDA

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

542

423

2008-09

562

433

2007-08

579

445

2006-07

549

408

2005-06

 

414

2004-05

 

410

2003-04

 

371

 

 

NORTHVIEW

Total Points

Adjusted

2009-10

483

368

2008-09

469

370

2007-08

519

400

2006-07

481

383

2005-06

326

326

2004-05

353

2003-04

337

2002-03

370

2001-02

341

 

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