FCAT Writing+ Recommendation
Commissioner’s Recommendation
:
Remove the multiple-choice items from the
FCAT Writing+ tests and delay its use as a graduation requirement.
•
The use of a writing test as part of the graduation requirements has been a
statutory requirement since 1999.
•
In 2005, multiple-choice items were added to the essay test that had been in use
since 1993.
•
Last year, February 2007, the SBE adopted achievement standards and a
graduation score requirement for the FCAT Writing+ test.
Two Reasons for the Recommendation – Budget and Technical Concerns:
•
Budget Reduction – During the budget reduction process, we took a hard look at
the assessment and accountability requirements and it became clear that the
multiple-choice questions were something we could remove without affecting our
state or federal accountability systems (see the table below).
Assessment and Accountability Requirements
NCLB Required
Programs
State Required
Programs
Included in NCLB AYP
(SG-School Grades)
K-12 Assess. Programs
FCAT – Reading
Grades 3-8, and 10
9th, grad. retesting
Yes, all (SG-all)
FCAT – Mathematics
Grades 3-8, and 10
9th, grad. retesting
Yes, all (SG-all)
FCAT – Science
Grades 5, 8, 11
No (SG-all)
FCAT – Writing
Yes, all essay only
Grades 4, 8, 10
(SG-all, essay only)
NRT Reading
Grades 3-10
No
NRT Mathematics
Grades 3-10
No
CELLA
All grades
No
Alternate Assessment for
SWD
All grades
All grades
Yes (SG-No)
PSAT/PLAN
Grade 10
No
DJJ
All grades
No
Kindergarten Readiness
K only
No
•
Technical concerns – The analyses of the 2007 test data identified
inconsistencies between scores on the essay and scores on the MC questions,
making the combination into a single score problematic.
1
o
The FCAT Technical Advisory Committee (experts in psychometric issues
and local district policy) unanimously recommended that the graduation
requirement be delayed.
o
I asked Buros to look at other aspects of the testing program after the
review of reading and mathematics was complete. Due to the high stakes
nature of the Grade 10 Writing+ test this year, we asked them to focus on
1
Technically, the scaling of essay and the scaling of the multiple-choice questions are not fitting together
in a consistent manner
over time
. These two scales must be combined to create the total score on which
the graduation cut point is based. Until such time as this scaling can be
done consistently time after
time
retest after retest
, that is
, the test should not be used to make a graduation decision. The technical
qualities of the Grades 4, 8, and 10 Writing+ tests as accountability and instructional program measures
continue to provide excellent feedback to school, district, and state officials.
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April 11, 2008
FCAT Writing+ Recommendation
it first. The preliminary findings from their investigation have confirmed the
conclusion that the test should not be used as a graduation requirement.
Minimizing the Impact on Students:
The recommendation to delay the writing graduation requirement is being made at this
point in time so we can minimize the impact on students. The first cohort of students to
be required to “sit” for the graduation test is this year’s sophomore class. These
students took the test thinking they would need to pass it for their scheduled graduation
in the spring of 2010. Changing the requirement now means there have not yet been
any consequences based on the 2008 writing test scores. Additionally, there is still
sufficient time to communicate these changes prior to completing class schedules for
the fall and graduation in 2010.
Further Action Needed
1. Notify students and schools of the recommended change because of the impact
on scheduling students for the next school year (2008-09).
2. Begin rulemaking to codify these recommendations.
3. Amend existing contracts to eliminate related tasks.
4. Continue to explore options that would permit us to include an assessment of
writing skill in our graduation requirements.
Current Legal Citations
•
Florida Statutes Section 1008.22 (3)(c)5.,
“Except as provided in s. 1003.428(8)(b) or
s. 1003.43(11)(b), students must earn a passing score on the grade 10 assessment test
described in this paragraph or attain concordant scores as described in subsection (9) in
reading,
writing
, and mathematics to qualify for a standard high school diploma. The
State Board of Education shall designate a passing score for each part of the grade 10
assessment test. In establishing passing scores, the state board shall consider any
possible negative impact of the test on minority students. The State Board of Education
shall adopt rules which specify the passing scores for the grade 10 FCAT. Any such
rules, which have the effect of raising the required passing scores, shall only apply to
students taking the grade 10 FCAT for the first time after such rules are adopted by the
State Board of Education.” Emphasis (bold and underlining) added.
•
SBE Rule 6A-1.09422, FAC
, “(5) The total scores on FCAT Reading, Mathematics,
Writing+
, and Science are also reported on an achievement-level scale. The total
scores that correspond to each achievement level are shown in the following
paragraphs. …” “(8) For students in the graduating class of 2009-10 school year and
beyond, the passing score for the
writing test
shall be a score equal to or greater than
300 on the 100 to 500 scale.” Emphasis (bold and underlining) added.
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FCAT Writing+ Recommendation
History of Writing Implementation:
Slide 5
State Board of Education Meeting
December 12, 2006
FCAT Writing+
Measures the Sunshine State Standards
in Writing
State test
of writing
skills
using
essay
1993
2005
2006
Multiple-
choice
items
added to
essay
Scores
reported
on
Writing+
2007
Report
Achievement
Levels
2008
Grade 10
students
receive
scores
that count for
graduation
2010
First class
with Writing+
Graduation
requirement
1999
10th Grade
Writing
Graduation
Requirement in
Law
•
The writing essay test, Florida Writes! began in 1993 at grades 4 and 8, and in 1994, at
grade 10.
•
In 1995, the State Board of Education established the first school accountability program
and identified critically low schools based on student achievement criteria, including the
writing essay. Other indicators were norm-referenced test (NRT) and High School
Competency Test (HSCT) scores.
•
In 1999, the requirement to use writing for high school graduation was added to
Section
1008.22 (3)(c)5., F.S.,
as part of the A+ legislation.
•
The requirements specified in the A+ legislation were phased in as fiscal and human
resources were available to do so. First, new grade levels of Reading and Mathematics
were added in 2001, Science was added in 2003, and in 2006 the essay test was
expanded to include multiple choice questions.
•
A longer and more comprehensive assessment was desirable for measuring all aspects
of writing, not just composition, and for a high stakes student decision about graduation.
•
In February 2007, the SBE amended
Rule 6A-1.09422, FAC
, to include achievement
level scores for all grades and the graduation passing score. This rule also identifies the
first group of students who must pass the FCAT Writing+ Grade 10 test, students who
were enrolled in grade 9 in 2006-07 – seniors of 2010.
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