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

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