As a provider of high quality prekindergarten services, your school district has met an important need in the community

MEMORANDUM

FLORIDA BOARD OF EDUCATION

F. PHILIP HANDY

LINDA J. EADS, Ed. D.

T. WILLARD FAIR

CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA

JULIA L. JOHNSON

WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, Ph.D

CAROLYN KING ROBERTS

CHARLIE CRIST

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT

325 W. GAINES STREET

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399

December 18, 2002

TO:

District Superintendents

High School Principals

School Guidance Counselors

Jim Horne, Secretary of Education

Class of 2003: October 2002 Florida Comprehensive Assessment

Test (FCAT) Results, Targeted Assistance for Seniors and

Additional Funding to Support Remediation Activities for Students

with Disabilities

Given that passing the FCAT is one of the requirements for graduation with a

standard diploma, it is critical that 12

graders are provided with appropriate

targeted assistance during the second semester. Many districts and schools have

reported successful remediation strategies including:

enrollment in intensive reading and math classes during the school day

additional targeted instruction in reading and/or math before or after the school

day or on weekends

extended hours for the media center so that students and parents can have

access to the FCAT Explorer

grade students, including students with disabilities, must be provided

with opportunities for targeted remediation in the 10

grade Sunshine State

Standards prior to the next administration of the FCAT. To ensure that students

with disabilities are included in these remediation efforts, I am pleased to announce

the availability of $4,469,120.00 in additional funding under the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

To receive these additional funds, districts

must submit to the Department of Education a plan of action for addressing the

instructional needs of 12th grade students with disabilities who have not passed one

or both sections of the FCAT and are scheduled to graduate in 2003 with a standard

diploma. Your district’s plan must reflect collaborative efforts between your

exceptional student education (ESE) and secondary staff and may be used to

expand current remedial programs to include students with disabi

application for these funds has been sent to your district’s ESE director under

separate cover.

It is also important to keep parents informed of their child’s progress in meeting the

graduation requirements. Districts have indicated that they provide parents with

such information via individual telephone calls, conferences, and/or letters.

December 18, 2002

Materials that are available from the DOE for use at school or at home for remediation for the 10

grade FCAT can be found on a “new” hotlink on the DOE homepage at myfloridaeducation.com.

These materials include:

information to sign up for the FCAT Explorer

FCAT Sample Test Materials

FCAT Products List

FCAT Lessons Learned

Additionally, last year your district received copies of the FCAT Performance Scoring Software,

an interactive CD that contains sample performance tasks, actual student responses and scoring

information for each response. Additional copies of the CD are available from the Department’s

Assessment and School Performance Office.

Students who do not meet the graduation requirements receive a certificate of completion or a

special diploma in some circumstances for students with disabilities. Consistent with state law,

all students have the right to receive an additional year of instruction beyond grade 12. Students

with disabilities who do not graduate with a standard diploma are also eligible to remain in school

and receive instruction through the year in which they turn 22.

We all must continue to work together to ensure that our students are provided with appropriate

instruction and that parents and students are informed of their progress towards meeting the

state’s graduation requirements. The Department staff stand ready to assist you in these efforts.

Directors of Exceptional Student Education

Coordinators of Assessment

Directors of Student Services

Assistant Superintendents for Curriculum and Instruction