FCAT Reading Test

1. 5th Grade FCAT Reading Test

2. The FCAT measures student performance on benchmarks in reading, as defined by the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The FCAT Reading tests contain passages (articles, stories, and poems) from books, magazines, and other publications. Students are expected to read and analyze the passages and answer questions based on the passages. What is the FCAT Reading Test?

3. Session 1: Monday, April 15, 2013 – 70 Minutes and Session 2: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – 70 Minutes Administration dates:

4. Paper and pencil test Students read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry reading passages The test is based on 50% Literary Text and 50% Informational Text Students answer multiple choice questions regarding the passages they have read Students are allowed to go back and look into the passage, underline, circle, etc. Test format:

5. Test questions are rated as Low Complexity, Moderate Complexity, or High Complexity: • Low Complexity Questions – 15-25% of Test • Moderate Complexity Questions – 50-70% of Test • High Complexity Questions – 15-25% of Test Test Format (con’t):

6. FCAT 2.0 Reading low-complexity items require students to recall, observe, question, or represent basic facts. For a low-complexity item, the student would be expected to demonstrate simple skills or abilities. A low-complexity item requires only a basic understanding of text— often verbatim recall from text or simple understanding of a single word or phrase. How do Miss Bilberry and her animals finally find their way out of the tall flowers? A. Miss Bilberry climbs a tree and tells everyone where to go. B. Chester and Cecilia find their way and then call the others. C. Chitty and Chatty fly ahead and then lead the way to a house. D. Miss Bilberry and her animals use the blue mountains as a guide. Low complexity questions

7. FCAT 2.0 Reading moderate-complexity items require two steps: comprehension and subsequent processing of text. Students are expected to make inferences within the text and may encounter items that include words such as summarize, infer, classify, gather, organize, compare, and display. Depending on the objective of a particular moderate-level item, students may also be required to explain, describe, or interpret. Which sentence BEST tells what the story is about? A. A young bird thinks he is a fish and learns to swim. B. A young bird tries to fly to a marsh but falls into a pond. C. A young bird tries to catch a fish by jumping in the water. D. A young bird falls into a pond by accident as he learns to fly. Moderate complexity questions

8. FCAT 2.0 Reading high-complexity items make heavy demands on student thinking. Students may be asked to explain, generalize, or make multiple connections. High-complexity items require several steps involving abstract reasoning and planning. Students must be able to support their thinking. Items may involve identifying the theme and the implicit main idea and making complex inferences within or across texts. Students may also be asked to take information from at least one portion of the text and apply the information to a new task. They may be asked to perform complex analyses of the connections among texts. Read the following sentence that describes the picture in the article. Extravagant costumes and beautiful songs help turn Carol into a star in the opera Otello. Use the picture to help tell what the word extravagant means. A. dirty and dull B. modern and popular C. ordinary and simple D. expensive and wonderful High complexity questions

9. In Grades 3-5 the following is a breakdown of types/percentages of reading questions: • Vocabulary 20% • Reading Application 30% (Skills: cause & Effect, compare & Contrast, Etc.) • Literary Analysis: Fiction/Nonfiction 30% (Plot Development, chronological Order, Sequencing, Text Features) • Research Process 20% Test Format (con’t):

10. Reading FCAT Scores are calculated from levels 1-5 just as in past years. No written response questions are given. To be considered passing, students must receive a Level 2, however, Level 3 is considered On Grade Level. Grading scales:

11. Ask Questions: Easy ways to ask Higher Order questions during everyday opportunities: Why did…? Why do you think…? What if…? How would you…? How do you know…? How are…alike/different? How did/does…? Which is better…? Why? Test taking strategies:

12. Make sure your child attends school regularly. The more effort your child puts into learning, the more likely he or she will perform well on tests. Encourage your child, especially when he or she does well. A positive outlook helps children do their best. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home. strategies

13. Support your child’s reading interest by providing a variety of reading materials. Support your child’s reading level by helping her choose books that are appropriate for her level. Have family reading time where everyone reads. Read together and individually. Use sticky notes and sticky flags to write or mark interesting or difficult words or concepts in the text to talk about later. Strategies (con’t)

14. This year, since the test is in April, we are expecting the results to be available in June. Results are available to parents online when released by the state. Results will also be mailed to parents with report cards. When will I get the results??

15. 1 - Bathroom use during testing is for emergencies only. Time spent in the bathroom is less time they have to finish the test. 2 - Students are not permitted to have electronic devices, this includes watches with alarms and cell phones. These items should be placed in the child's backpack (in the off/vibrate mode) in the morning. 3 - Please pack a snack for your child to have after testing is complete. 4 - No volunteers are allowed in the building during testing hours. 5-Make-up days available if students are sick and cannot attend school. Reminders for testing days!

16. FCAT Explorer Reading/Math/Science FOCUS Achieves Think Central Practice Tests: Florida Department of Education Website: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/ Online tools for additional support