FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    €
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
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    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
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    Members
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    SALLY BRADSHAW
    LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
    CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
    MEMORANDUM
    TO:
    District
    Superintendents
    FROM:
    Jim
    Horne
    CC:
    ?
    Directors of Assessment
    Assistant
    Superintendents for Instruction
    Assistant Superintendents for Student Services
    ESE
    Directors
    Public
    Information
    Officers
    DATE:
    May 8, 2003
    JIM HORNE
    Commissioner of Education
    SUBJECT:
    FCAT Grade 10 Passing Score for Graduating Seniors
    Please be advised that all current year seniors are required to meet the
    original
    passing scores on
    the tenth grade FCAT. Rather than some seniors having to meet the current passing score of 300
    in both subjects, all class of 2003 seniors must have a score of at least 287 in reading and 295 in
    mathematics to meet the FCAT requirement for graduation.
    When the current passing scores were adopted, neither the State Board of Education nor the
    Legislature intended that seniors in the same class would be required to meet different passing
    scores. On the contrary, in the 2002 Legislative Session, language was adopted to clarify State
    Board of Education policy that was interpreted as requiring students to meet a higher passing
    score for subsequent administrations of the FCAT.
    However, while this language was intended to include all students in the graduating class of
    2003, it did not explicitly address retained students who are promoted two grade levels or first-
    time 11
    th
    and 12
    th
    grade transfer students. Further, many have adhered to a strictly literal
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 201-7400 • www.fldoe.org
    District Superintendents
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    May 8, 2003
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    Page Two
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    interpretation of this language, and this has again resulted in the interpretation that the passing
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    score requirement for the tenth grade FCAT varies among current graduating seniors.
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    The Governor and Legislature agree that the intent of the action last year was to maintain the
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    same cut score for all students in the same graduating class. This interpretation will positively
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    affect approximately 1,000 graduating seniors this year that will earn a standard high school
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    diploma if the original passing score is accepted.
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    This interpretation will affect students in this cohort whether or not they graduate this year.
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    Students entering adult education or staying in school another year will still meet the original cut
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    score. All future class cohorts will adhere to the same passing score requirement.
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    Listed below are the key policy elements resulting from this modified interpretation.
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    •
    ?
    All of the 2003 graduating seniors are permitted to use the original passing scores of 287
    in reading and 295 in mathematics obtained in this or any prior administration.
    Developmental score equivalents are 1856 in reading and 1868 in mathematics.
    •
    ?
    The original passing scores will be applied to all students classified as 12
    th
    and 13
    th
    year
    students for the March 2003 FCAT administration and students who were in the ninth
    grade class of 1999-2000.
    •
    ?
    The grandfather provision will continue to apply for known students with the original
    passing score as long as they take the test. The Department has in place a process by
    which school districts can identify students who have not had the correct standard applied
    (usually a result of a miscoded student identification number on a test booklet). This
    process will continue as long as it is needed.
    •
    ?
    Beginning with FCAT administrations in June 2003 and beyond, all students will be
    required to earn scores of 300, except those identified as part of the graduating class of
    2003 cohort, i.e., 9
    th
    graders in 1999-2000 and/or 12
    th
    graders in 2002-2003.
    This information should be shared immediately with all high school administration and faculty to
    ensure that the appropriate information is provided to those who inquire. Please also inform
    them the Department will launch a new online resource specifically geared to 12
    th
    graders who
    need information about their options. The website will be available on Friday, May 9, 2003.
    The website address is www.12thgradeoptions.org. Interested parties may also call the
    Department’s toll free line, called
    12
    th
    Grade Options
    , at 1-800-315-0833.
    First and foremost, please identify all 12
    th
    grade students with a score of 287 to 299 in reading or
    295 to 299 in mathematics. These students should immediately be informed that they meet this
    requirement for graduation. If they meet all other graduation requirements, the district may
    proceed with awarding these students a standard high school diploma.
    District Superintendents
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    May 8, 2003
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    Page Three
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    The Department will automatically track students from the current cohort who did not pass.
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    These students will automatically be identified and coded for future test administrations. If
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    miscoding results in students being incorrectly identified, then districts should follow existing
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    procedures for identifying these students appropriately. Please direct any procedural questions to
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    the Assessment Office at (850) 488-8198.
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    Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for your continued commitment to our
    €
    students.
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    JH:jlw
    €

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