FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
     
     
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    HANNA SKANDERA
      
    CHERIE PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
    DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
      
      
      
      
    CHANCELLOR
    ACCOUNTABILITY, RESEARCH, AND MEASUREMENT
      
      
    K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
     
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
      
     
     
    F.
     
    PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    OBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    HOEBE RAULERSON
    ATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    INDA K. TAYLOR
     
      
    T.
    R
     
      
     
     
     
    P
    K
    L
     
     
     
     
     
    Contact Information:
      
    Samantha Love
    (850) 245-9947
    Samantha.Love@fldoe.org
     
    Victoria Ash
    (850) 245-0513
    Victoria.Ash@fldoe.org
     
      
     
    MEMORANDUM
     
    TO:
    District School Superintendents
     
     
    FROM:
    Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
     
    Chancellor
    K-12
    Public
    Schools
     
      
     
    Hanna Skandera
     
    Deputy Commissioner
     
    Accountability, Research, and Measurement
     
    DATE:
    August 9, 2006
     
    SUBJECT:
    Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
     
    Writing+ High School Graduation Requirement
     
     
    In support of the Florida Department of Education’s commitment to Set, Align, and Apply
    Academic Curricular and Testing Standards, we would like to inform districts of an additional
    graduation requirement for Florida students entering the first year of high school in the 2006-07
    school year. All of these students and their parents must be informed of the requirements for
    receipt of a standard high school diploma.
     
    Section 1008.22 (5) F.S., requires that students earn passing scores on the Florida
    Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in reading, writing, and mathematics to qualify for a
    regular high school diploma, except as provided in Section 1003.43 (11)(b). A student enrolled
    in Grade 9 for the first time in the 2006-07 school year must achieve a passing score on FCAT
    Writing+ in addition to the current requirements of achieving passing FCAT scores in reading
    and mathematics.
     
    It is anticipated that achievement levels, as well as the graduation passing score, will be
    presented at the State Board of Education January 2007 meeting. Achievement level
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 814 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0437 • www.fldoe.org
    District School Superintendents
    August 9, 2006
    Page 2
     
    scores will be reported for FCAT Writing+ beginning with the Spring 2007 administration. The
    graduation passing score will be applied to eligible students beginning with the Spring 2008
    administration. This cohort of students, the graduating class of 2010, must then achieve the
    established passing score in order to receive a standard diploma. The first Writing+ Retake
    administration is planned for Fall 2008.
     
    As you prepare to advise your students, please remember the following:
      
    1) Students enrolled for the first time in Grade 9 in 2006-07, and thereafter, must meet the
    FCAT Writing+ graduation requirement in addition to all other established graduation
    requirements.
     
    2) Students seeking adult high school diplomas must meet the same testing requirements as
    regular high school students.
     
    If you have questions regarding the FCAT Writing+ graduation requirement, please contact
    Samantha Love at (850) 245-9947, Suncom 205-9947, or via email at
    Samantha.Love@fldoe.org, or Victoria Ash at (850) 245-0513, Suncom 205-0513, or via email
    at Victoria.Ash@fldoe.org.
     
    CPY/HS/va
     

    Back to top