340 likes | 536 Views
From the Florida Department of Education. www.fcatexplorer.com. Science Mission : Biology. Program Overview . Science Mission : Biology. Interactive practice program. FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and benchmarks Reinforces important science concepts
E N D
From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com Science Mission: Biology Program Overview
Science Mission: Biology Interactive practice program FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and benchmarks Reinforces important science concepts Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet
Science Mission: Biology Fidelity with the Official FCAT Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and DOE’s Test Item and Performance Task Specifications • Rigorous item development process • Items drafted by science teachers and professional item writers • Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, and professional editors Multiple choice item in Physical/Chemical
Science Mission: Biology Input from Exemplary Education Professionals • Highly-qualified classroom teachers • Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level • National Board Certified • Members of the National Science Teachers Association and recipients of Presidential Teaching Awards • Masters Degrees
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice • FCAT-like practice on all tested strands and benchmarks • 168 FCAT-like practice items • 147 Multiple Choice (MC) • 8 Context Dependent (CD) • 10 Short Response (SR) • 3 Extended Response (ER)
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice • Same style, format, scope and cognitive level as the FCAT • Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty MC item in Earth and Space
Science Mission: Biology Instructional Support
Science Mission: Biology Learning Guidance • 1ST Attempt Correct • Congratulations! • Correct Answer Explanation (CAE) • Confirms the elements that make an answer correct • Reinforces effective skill application
Science Mission: Biology Learning Guidance • 1ST Attempt Incorrect • Includes hints to clarify the question without giving away the answer • Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly • Interactive glossary to review key concepts Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more difficult science concepts.
Science Mission: Biology Learning Guidance • 2nd Attempt • For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces accurate skill application • For INCORRECT answer, the CAE: • Identifies correct answer • Explains why the answer the student chose was incorrect
Science Mission: Biology Practice Items
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice Items Multiple Choice (MC) • Same formatting details as on the FCAT • Same notation conventions as on the FCAT
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice Items Context Dependent Multiple Choice (CD) • Students read a short passage • Answer three multiple choice items based on passage content • Students can review passage at any time
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice Items Short-Response (SR) • Students are presented with two sample student responses and are asked to select the high scoring answer • Reinforces writing skills by comparing two sample answers.
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice Items Open-Response (OR) • Students compose original answers • Read high-score sample response • Read explanation of attributes that earn sample response a high score • Compare student’s original composition to high-score sample response OR in Physical/Chemical
Science Mission: Biology FCAT-like Practice Items Open-Response (OR) • Students compose original answers • Read high-score sample response • Read explanation of attributes that earn sample response a high score • Compare student’s original composition to high-score sample response OR in Physical/Chemical
Science Mission: Biology Special Features
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • Vocabulary Exercises • Review key words associated with the benchmark • Review definition and application of knowledge • Exercise completion features definition matching
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • READ/INQIRE/EXPLAIN (RIE) ICON • Available on SR, ER, and OR items • Students click on the RIE icon to view rubric • Students check items on rubric as they read • Rubric helps students to identify elements included in high scoring answers
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • CHALLENGE LIST • Links directly to items answered incorrectly • Helps students focus on skill improvement
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • Animated Vocabulary Games • Play one of three vocabulary games after completing a group of benchmarks • Includes repetition of question for incorrect responses
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • Bonus Missions: Review Lessons • Students select from seven bonus missions to review key science skills • 3 nature of science lessons • How to Read the Periodic Table • Plant and Animal Cells • Active and Passive Transport • Understanding Chemical Reactions Bonus Mission menu
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features GLOSSARY • Linked (blue) words in first incorrect response • Click speaker icon to hear word pronounced • Definition • Spanish and Haitian Creole translations
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • Reference Sheet • From any item page, students can review important formulas for solving problems • Based on actual FCAT reference sheet
Science Mission: Biology Special Learning Features • Interactive Calculator • Fully functional calculator • Accessible from any item page
Science Mission: Biology Educators’ Tools
Science Mission: Biology Educators’ Tools • Curriculum resources • Table of Strands and Benchmarks • Item Review • Letter to Parents Classroom Teacher’s Desk School Administrator’s Desk • Information management tools • Sign-in names and passwords • Progress Reports • Messages to students District Administrator’s Desk
Science Mission: Biology Student Performance Reports At The Classroom Teacher’s Desk • Check progress on individuals or classes • View science data by Benchmark or Strand • Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support
Science Mission: Biology The Parent & Family Guide • Accessible from the home page without a password • Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole • Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0
Science Mission: Biology Visit the Educator Resources Page • Linked from the home page • Download this PowerPoint presentation • Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual • Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual • Download other presentations • Program-specific presentations
Science Mission: Biology Toll-Free Help Desk • Accessible from the home page without a password • 1-888-750-FCAT1-888-750-3228 • Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Science Mission: Biology To get sign-in names and passwords School Principals: Contact your District Office and speak to the FCAT Explorer District Administrator Teachers: Contact your FCAT Explorer School Administrator FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)
Science Mission: Biology www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to FCAT Explorer!