Florida Standards Assessments: Subjects, Timing, and Test Design

1. Keeth ElementaryFebruary 3rd, 2015

2. Agenda • What are the Florida Standards Assessments? • Subjects and Grades Assessed • Test Timing • Test Schedule • Test Design and Test Item Types • FCAT 2.0 Science • Score Information • How is the FSA and FCAT 2.0 Science used? • Helpful Resources

3. What are the new Florida Standards? • The new Florida Standards were adopted in 2014 in English/Language Arts and Mathematics to help prepare Florida students for success in college, career, and in life by emphasizing analytical thinking skills. • The new test will provide a more authentic assessment of the Florida Standards, because it will include more than multiple choice questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. • New question types will assess students' higher-order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

4. What are the Florida Standards Assessments (FSAs)? • Florida Standards Assessmentswere developed to measure student success with the new Florida State Standards adopted in 2014 and implemented into instruction this school year • What subjects are assessed with FSAs? • English Language Arts (ELA) - Grades 3-11 Readingand Listening and Grades 4-11 Writing • Mathematics - Grades 3-8 • End of Course Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry • Testing contractor - American Institutes for Research (AIR)

5. Are the tests timed? YES! • Writing – Grades 4 and 5 • 90 minutes – up to 120 minutes (1 session) • English Language Arts - Grades 3, 4, and 5 • 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) • Tested over two days • Mathematics - Grades 3, 4, and 5 • 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) • Tested over two days • FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5 • 160 minutes (2 – 80 minute sessions) • Tested over two days • NOTE: Students will be given short stretch/water/restroom breaks during sessions

6. When are the tests? • FSA Writing Grades 4-5: March 3 • FSA ELA – Grades 3-4: March 24-25 • FSA Math – Grades 3-4: March 30-31 • FCAT 2.0 Science – Grade 5: April 13-14 • FSA ELA/Math– Grade 5: Begins April 16, Ends by May 8 • Students will be scheduled into sessions until all students are tested

7. Paper-based Tests • Grades 3 and 4 ELA and Math • Students will receive a Test and Answer Book for each subject • Grades 4 and 5 Writing • Students will receive a Writing Planning Sheet and a Test and Answer Book • Transition to computer TBD • Grade 5 FCAT 2.0 Science • Students will receive a Test Book and an Answer Book • Sample Tests will be provided by DOE for Paper Test subjects – may not include Writing - TBD

8. Computer-based Tests • Grade 5 English Language Arts and Math tests will be a computer-based beginning this year • Students will be required to participate in a training test session prior to the actual test • Practice using testing platform and tools, answering questions, changing answers, submitting test, etc. • Students will receive a Worksheet as scratch paper for the English Language Arts, and a Work Folder for working Math problems

9. How is the FSA English Language Arts designed? Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category Depth of Knowledge* *Depth of Knowledge refers to the complexity level of the cognitive process demanded by a test item rather than the difficulty of the item. Level 1 = Recall and Reproduction; Level 2 = Skills and Concepts; Level 3 = Strategic Thinking

10. Test Item Types • ELA Question Types: • Multiple Choice: Select one answer • Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen • Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic • Open Response: 1-3 sentences (just enough to answer the question and support it from the text) • Hot Text: highlights the sentence (computer-based) • Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based) • Editing Task: make edits within the text (computer-based) • Listening Task: Student listens to audio file and answers questions based on what they have heard (computer-based grades 5-11)

11. Test Item Types • Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

12. Test Item Types • Multiple-Choice with 2 Parts

13. Test Item Types • Open Response Questions • Explain how the texts develop and treat the theme of freedom in the same way. Type your response in the space provided. *1-3 sentences. Clear, concise and to the point - just enough to answer the question and support it from the text

14. Test Item Types • Multi-Select (computer-based)

15. Test Item Types • Editing Task (computer-based)

16. Test Item Types • Graphics (computer-based) • Place the characteristics that describe the narrator, Cassie, or both in the diagram in the correct locations. • Sure • Reflective • Adventurous • Cautious • Determined • Biology career • Careless about friendship • Impressed by the ocean • **Not all words need to be used!

17. Testing Tips • Listening Task (computer-based) • Audio Script: • [Orientation Statement:] Listen to classmates Samantha and Orlando prepare for a project. • SAMANTHA: I did some research online, and I found rules for how to market to kids. I think they are a good starting point for our project, even though we can’t do all of them. • ORLANDO: Okay, what did you find? • SAMANTHA: etc……

18. How is the FSA Mathematics designed? Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category Depth of Knowledge

19. Test Item Types • Math Question Types: • Multiple Choice: Select one answer • Multi-Select: More than one answer should be chosen • Two Part: two questions pertaining to the same topic • Open Response: type or click on numbers and symbols create an answer • Hot Spot: creating items on graphs (computer-based) • Graphics: interacting with the text (computer-based) • Drag and Drop: drag numbers, symbols, etc., and place in appropriate area to create an answer

20. Test Item Types • Multi-Select with 2 Parts/Drag and Drop

21. Test Item Types • Graphics (computer-based)

22. Test Item Types • Hot Spot (computer-based)

23. Test Item Types • Open Response Questions

24. Test Item Types • Multiple-Choice with 2 Correct Responses

25. How is the FSA Writing designed? • FSA Writing At elementary, the stimulus will consist of two to four texts, ranging from 800-1300 words each. Scoring rubrics for FSA Writing can be found on the FSA Portal.

26. Testing Tips • Writing Essay Responses • Read the prompt and determine whether it is asking for information/explanation, or an opinion/argument • Read the texts, looking for details to support information or opinion/argument • Use the Planning Sheet to organize thoughts and details • Write and edit response. Make sure it contains: • Clearly stated and strongly maintained idea or argument • Details from the passages to support idea or argument • Variety of sentence types and transitional strategies • Clear and effective expression and logical progression of ideas • Strong introduction and conclusion • Correct spelling and punctuation

27. How is the FCAT 2.0 Science designed? • Grade 5 and 8 students will also take the FCAT 2.0 Science • Based upon the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards • Content Categories and approximate percentage of raw-score points for each category • Percent of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level

28. FSA Scores for 2015 • Grade 3 will receive scores linked to FCAT 2.0 student performance expectations – basically an FCAT 2.0 score based upon how the student would have scored on the FCAT 2.0 scale. Score will be released at end of school year for promotion/retention purposes. • Grades 4-5 will receive FSA scores after all data has been studied and score ranges set. Scores are anticipated to be released in late Fall 2015.

29. Helping Your Child • Test Preparation • Help your child to realize that it is important to do their best every day, as well as on the FSA • Review class and homework with your child • Help your child practice the skills they are learning in real-life situations so that the skills have meaning beyond the tests and the classroom • Help your child get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast • Overemphasizing the tests can increase your child’s anxiety • Work with your child to help them learn how to handle anxiety

30. FSA Portal • The FSA Portal contains all published information regarding FSA assessments, and released Training Tests • FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org • To access Training Tests: • Click on Students and Parents • Click Training Tests • Click on Training Test Guide for instructions on how to use the training tests • Click on Take the Training Test • Click Sign In • Select Student Grade and Click Yes • Click on test you wish to take

31. Test Rules Acknowledgment • Test Rules Acknowledgment • Students will be required to sign (paper tests) or agree to (computer test) the Test Rules Acknowledgment before taking any FSA assessment. • Test Rules read, “During the test, you must no talk to other students or make any disturbance; look at another student’s test or computer screen; ask for help answering any test questions; give help to another student in answering test questions; have notes or scratch paper; have any electronic or recording devices in your possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them; fail to follow any other instructions given. After the test, you may not discuss the test items with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to blogs or websites like Facebook or Twitter. If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.” • Test Rules Acknowledgment reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score will be invalidated.”

32. Electronic Devices Reminder • No electronic devices permitted during testing • StudentsCANNOT have any electronic device (e.g., cell phone, mp3 player, game system, etc.) on them OR within arm’s reach even if they do not use them • Cause for immediate invalidation of test N

33. How are FSA Results Used? • FSA results provide teachers and schools with additional information about each student’s proficiencies • Results are used IN ADDITION TOteacher observations and coursework throughout the year in making determinations of student strengths and areas of opportunity

34. How are FSA Results Used? • Grade 3 English Language Arts Scores • Students who score a Level 1 on English Language Arts are required (by state law) to have further evaluation before being promoted to 4th grade • Options for Students who Score at Level 1 • ‘Good Cause’ Promotion Options • SAT 10 test • Portfolio of 3rd grade work demonstrating proficiency • Decisions are made on an individual-student basis

35. How are FSA Results Used? • Students who score at Levels 1 or 2 on the English Language Arts and/or Mathematics tests are required (by state law) to have intensive remedial assistance classes during the following school year • This intensive remediation must be different from previously received instruction • Students in this category are progress-monitored to ensure their success

36. Florida’s Revised A+ Program • The Florida Department of Education uses FSA/FCAT 2.0 results to evaluate each public school and each school district • Grades are determined through performance on the FSA English Language Arts (Reading and Writing combined), Mathematics, and FCAT 2.0 Science tests. • The school grade is based upon the percentage of total points earned. Each component is worth up to 100 percentage points. • Provisions in the old model that raised or lowered a school’s grade beyond what the percentage of points would indicate have been eliminated • 2015 School Grades will be released in late fall

37. Florida’s Revised A+ Program Elementary School Grades Model

38. Florida’s Revised A+ Program Middle School Grades Model

39. Florida’s Revised A+ Program High School Grades Model

40. Helpful Resources • Contact your child’s teacher and school administrator • Florida Department of Education Web Site: http://www.fldoe.org • FSA Portal: www.FSAssessments.org • FCAT School Accountability Reports: http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org • Florida State Standards: http://www.cpalms.org/Public • SCPS Assessment & Accountability Web Site: http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/testing • Assessment & Accountability Staff • Kelly Thompson: 407-320-0268 (Kelly Thompson@scps.k12.fl.us) • Colleen Risner: 407-320-0270 (Colleen_Risner@scps.k12.fl.us) • Sara Borosky: 407-320-0269 (Sara_Borosky@scps.k12.fl.us) Seminole County Public Schools Building Success for Every Student