FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
      
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
    July 20, 2005
     
    MEMORANDUM
     
    TO:
    District School Superintendents
     
    FROM:
    John Winn, Commissioner of Education
     
      
    SUBJECT:
    Release of FCAT Forms
     
    We are pleased to announce the Department’s plans to release previously administered forms
    of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). This effort will increase the
    transparency of Florida’s assessment program and will provide educators with additional
    models of classroom assessment of the Sunshine State Standards. Most importantly, these
    releases will provide assurances that the learning targets represented by the FCAT are realistic
    for all students to attain, with the exception of a small group of students with special needs.
     
    Since 2003, the Department has been working toward the release of FCAT forms. For two
    years, we have been developing more items in order to provide an adequate supply of items in
    the FCAT item banks. Unfortunately, funding for new development has not been sufficient to
    release tests at every grade level every year. In 2004, the methodology for anchoring/equating
    the tests was modified so that all of the items on which student scores are based can be
    released. This significant change permits the release of tests and maintains the security of the
    anchor item sets used for equating purposes.
     
    Release Plan
     
     
    For the first release, we anticipate providing the grade 10 tests by the beginning of the 2005-
    2006 school year, followed by tests for grades 4 and 8 in the fall. We also have plans to
    release
     
     
     
     
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
    District School Superintendents
    July 20, 2005
    Page Two
     
    tests for other grade levels in future years. A proposed schedule for these releases is provided
    below; however, implementing this plan is contingent upon sufficient funding in future years.
     
    Release Schedule
    Tests to Be Released
    Fall 2005
    Grade 4 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 8 – Reading and Mathematics tests
     
    Grade 10 – Reading test for retake students
    Grade 10 – Mathematics test for all 10
    th
    graders
    Fall 2006
     
    Grade 3 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 7 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 9 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Fall 2007
    Grade 5 – Reading, Mathematics, and Science tests
    Grade 6 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 8 – Science test
    Fall 2008
    Grade 4 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 8 – Reading and Mathematics tests
     
    Grade 10 – Reading and Mathematics tests
    Grade 11 – Science test
     
    Electronic copies of the tests, as well as the associated statewide performance data, will be
    available for downloading from our website, www.fldoe.org — making the information
    accessible for all educators and parents. Specifically, one form of each test that includes all
    items used for determining student scores will be provided. Please note that all anchor items
    and field-test items have been removed so the organization of the tests may appear slightly
    different from the tests students actually took. For each released test, the correct answers will
    be provided along with item statistics for each item and performance task on the test. For
    example, we will provide the statewide percent of students choosing the correct and incorrect
    answer choices for multiple-choice items and the percent earning each score point for
    performance tasks.
     
    While the Department would prefer to release a form of the grade 10 test every year, the
    practical and technical details to support this activity are still being examined. Because the
    Department prepares four grade 10 tests each year (one for tenth graders and three for students
    retaking the test) many more items must be written, field tested, scored, and equated to
    support the release of this test. These activities are both time consuming and costly; therefore,
    the Department will include additional funds in its legislative budget request to support these
    additional activities.
     
    We sincerely appreciate your continued cooperation with the FCAT development efforts by
    permitting your teachers and administrators to participate in the various advisory groups, item
    review committees, and rangefinding committees (development of scoring rubrics and guidelines
    for performance tasks) for FCAT. The involvement of classroom teachers and content specialists
    has ensured the grade-level appropriateness of each item on the FCAT. We want to continue this
     
     
    District School Superintendents
    July 20, 2005
    Page Three
     
    partnership as we pursue the additional development necessary for the release of tests because
    we will need to convene more meetings involving more educators, especially for grade 10. We
    look forward to the continued participation of educators from your school district. Thank you in
    advance for your commitment to these efforts.
     
    If you or your staff has any questions or concerns, please contact Kris Ellington or Cornelia Orr,
    Department of Education, at 850/245-0513.
     
    HS/JW:cso
     
     
     
     

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