FCAT scores show improvement

Statewide, the percent of students scoring at or above grade level on the 2008 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test improved according to this year’s figures just released from the Florida Department of Education.

Overall, 60 percent of students in grades 3 through 10 are reading at or above grade level compared to 58 percent in 2007. In math, 66 percent of Florida students are demonstrating mathematics skills at or above grade level compared to 63 percent last year, according to a state news release.

"Florida’s students are to be commended for their hard work and steady progress in reading, math and science," Governor Charlie Crist said in the news release. "We are grateful to the teachers of our students, as well as the parents, who reinforce each day the importance of continued learning and strong skills."

The state also released the results of the science FCAT taken by students in grades 5, 8 and 11. More students are performing at or above grade level in science compared with previous years, according to state officials.

Highlights of this year’s results include:

• Elementary School (Grades 3 – 5 reading and mathematics, and grade 5 science)
• Seventy (70) percent of elementary school students are reading at or above grade level, the same percentage as last year and up 16 percentage points since 2001.
• Seventy (70) percent of elementary school students are demonstrating mathematics skills at or above grade level, up two percentage points from last year and 18 points since 2001.
• Forty-three (43) percent of fifth grade students are achieving in science at or above grade level, up one percentage point from last year and 15 points since 2003.
• Middle School (Grades 6 – 8 reading and mathematics, and grade 8 science)
• Sixty-one (61) percent of middle school students are reading at or above grade level, up three percentage points from last year and 13 points since 2001.
• Sixty (60) percent of middle school students are demonstrating mathematics skills at or above grade level, up two percentage points from last year and 13 points since 2001.
• Forty (40) percent of eighth grade students are achieving in science at or above grade level, up two percentage points from last year and 12 points since 2003.
• High School (Grades 9 and 10 reading and mathematics, and grade 11 science)
• Forty-two (42) percent of high school students are reading at or above grade level, up four percentage points from last year and 10 points since 2001.
• Sixty-seven (67) percent of high school students are demonstrating mathematics skills at or above grade level, up four percentage points from last year and 15 points since 2001.
• Thirty-eight (38) percent of eleventh grade students are achieving in science at or above grade level, up one percentage point from last year and five percentage points since 2003.

Additional highlights include:

• Hispanic students narrowed the achievement gap with white students by seven percentage points since 2001 in both reading and mathematics.
• African-American students narrowed the achievement gap with white students by three percentage points in reading and seven percentage points in mathematics since 2001.

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, parents may view their students’ scores via the FCAT Parent Network using the secure login and password provided by their school. School districts and schools can access electronic copies of their reports today. Printed reports, including individual student reports, school reports, district and state reports, will be delivered to school districts next week.