TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Highlands 4th-& 8th-Grade FCAT Writing Scores Improve

10TH–GRADE SCORES SLIP

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: May 9, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County fourth-graders, on average, scored better than last year's fourth-graders, and better than the state average, on the essay portion of the Writing Plus Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

On a scale of 1 to 6, the county's average 2008 fourth-grade score is 4.0. The state average is 3.8 and last year's Highlands County average was 3.8.

Lake Placid Elementary's average score improved from a 3.9 in 2007 to 4.2 in 2008.
"I had teachers crying they were so happy," Principal Carole Disler said.

Students were told that those scoring at least a 4.0 would be treated to a meal at Red Lobster. Test results show that 82 percent of the students scored 4.0 or better.

"So we are going to take 100 kids to the Red Lobster," Disler said. "Obviously we are going to have to make more than one trip."

The county's eighth-graders also improved on average from 3.9 in 2007 to 4.2 in 2008, which matches the state average.

Lake Placid Middle School had the greatest one-year improvement in the county from 3.6 in 2007 to 4.1 in 2008.

"We're very happy," said Principal Derrel Bryan. "Our kids stepped up to the plate."

In reviewing the school's scores from the past three years, the percentage of students who scored 3.5 or better has increased by about 20 percent, he said. "That's huge and we are extremely excited about seeing those kind of numbers."

The entire school worked hard on writing, especially the eighth-grade language/arts teachers, Bryan said.

Tenth-grade scores fell at all three county high schools. The district 10th-grade average of 3.6 trailed the state average of 3.9.

The Florida Department of Education reports that, according to the 2008 writing scores, a greater percentage of Florida students are writing at or above grade level.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday parents may view their students' scores via the FCAT Parent Network (www.fcatparentnetwork.com) using the secure log-in and password provided by their school.
FCAT Writing info:

* The FCAT Writing Plus is given to students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
* The assessment asks students to write an essay in response to an assigned topic and
answer 44 multiple-choice questions.
* An essay score of 3.5 is the standard used in the grading of schools.
* The multiple-choice component was added in 2006 and will not be on the 2009 assessment because of budget constraints.

FCAT Writing Scores
School, district and state average scores for the essay portion of the Writing Plus Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Individual test scores range from a low of 1 to high of 6. The test is given at only three grade levels.

GRADE 4
School 2006; 2007; 2008
Avon 3.6; 3.8; 4.1
Cracker Trail 4.1; 4.1; 4.2
Fred Wild 3.5;3.4; 3.5
Lake Country 3.9; 3.8;3.9
Lake Placid 3.8; 3.9; 4.2
Park 3.7; 3.7;4.0
Sun 'N Lake 3.7;3.8;4.0
Woodlawn3.8;4.0;4.0
Highlands3.7;3.8;4.0
State 3.9;3.9;3.8

GRADE 8
Avon Park 3.5;3.6;3.7
Hill-Gustat 4.0;4.1;4.3
Lake Placid3.6;3.6;4.1
Sebring 4.2;4.2;4.5
Highlands 3.8;3.9;4.2
State 4.0;4.1;4.2

GRADE 10
Avon Park 3.6;3.7;3.5
Lake Placid 3.8;3.8;3.6
Sebring 4.0;3,8;3.7
Highlands 3.8;3.8;3.6
State 3.9;3.9;3.9

Source data from the Florida Department of Education.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT