FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
October 7, 2008
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Dr. Frances Haithcock
SUBJECT:
Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading: 2008-2009
During 2007-2008, the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) partnered with the Just
Read, Florida! Office of the Florida Department of Education to develop a new K-12 reading
assessment system for Florida. Accordingly, FCRR testers field-tested screening, diagnostic,
and ongoing progress monitoring items during the 2007-2008 school year in Leon, Alachua, and
Manatee counties. These counties were selected based on the fact that their demographics are
representative of Florida and the availability of local coordinators and testers. Statistical
analyses were performed during the summer of 2008 and administration manuals and assessment
materials were prepared. In grades K-2, teachers administer the assessment tasks to students
individually. In grades 3-12, the assessments are adaptive and delivered on Internet-connected
computers.
During 2008-2009, FCRR is conducting an implementation study in the same three counties,
along with a fourth county—Broward—to add a large district in south Florida. The purpose of
an implementation study is to have teachers administer the assessment and provide feedback on
the format, procedures, and instructional utility of the assessment tasks. During the final
assessment period in the spring, 2009, a computer-based application for the grades K-2
assessment system and a new version of the PMRN for grades K-12 will be piloted. The Florida
Assessment for Instruction in Reading will be provided free of charge to Florida schools starting
in the 2009-2010 school year.
FH/ebl
DR. FRANCES HAITHCOCK
CHANCELLOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
325 W. GAINES STREET, ROOM 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org