State tries to put happy face on FCAT reading scores

The FCAT reading scores were released today for ninth and tenth graders. Only half of the Florida high school students who took the test performed at or better than their grade level.

Like the writing exam, the test was harder as the state transitions from the FCAT to the FCAT 2.0 and Florida End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments. This transition will align the statewide assessments with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, which are more rigorous curriculum standards. According to the State Department of Education, they were adopted to “help ensure students are being adequately prepared for college and today’s competitive job market.”

In a press release titled “FCAT Results Reflect Transition to Higher Standards,” Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson stated, “We are asking more from our students and teachers than we ever have, and I am proud of their hard work. Florida’s higher standards help ensure students are learning what they are expected to know so that they are prepared for college, career, and life. As Florida transitions to higher standards and higher expectations, we can expect our assessment results to reflect those changes.”

The Florida Department of Education released results today for ninth and tenth grade FCAT 2.0 Reading results.

* 52 percent of students in grade 9 were performing at or above Achievement Level 3 (on grade level) on FCAT 2.0 Reading.
* 50 percent of students in grade 10 received passing scores performing at or above Achievement Level 3 on FCAT 2.0 Reading.

Escambia County fell within the state averages, but considerably behind Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

Ninth: GR09_Rdis_2012v4

Tenth: GR10_Rdis_2012v4

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