As the state of Florida transitions away from the FCAT testing system and into the Florida Standards Assessment, which is more aligned with the state’s version of Common Core standards, the first steps are to determine “cut” scores for tested subjects. “Cut scores” determine a student’s raw performance on tests translating to a scale of 1-5, with 3 considered passing. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart is working to develop guidelines for scoring tests students will be taking in reading (3rd through 10th grade), math (3rd through 8th Grade) and Algebra 1 and 2 and geometry in high school.
According to her current guidelines, about 45% of 8th graders would pass the math test, and 36% would pass the upper level algebra exam. In the other grades, approximately 50-59% of students would pass the math test, and 51-55% would pass the reading exam. These guidelines will now be reviewed by the Legislature and the State Board of Education for final approval, planned for January 2016.Generally, when a standardized test is given for the first time, The Florida Department of Education seeks input from educators, school districts and community business leaders, before setting the standards. In a press release, Commissioner Stewart stated, “These recommendations are in line with the performance we should expect from our state’s students at each grade level for each subject in order to prepare today’s student’s for future success”.
As more states transition to higher academic standards, and new tests, many districts strive to close the gap between students performance on state tests and the National Assessment of Educational Progress. NAEP is often seen as a much more accurate assessment of student performance. Cut scores are set to bridge the gap between the state and National standards. The Florida Association of District School Superintendents speaking in opposition to this strategy, said “there is no evidence that NAEP is fully aligned to or measures the Florida Standards”.
Do you think the 2nd Amendment will be destroyed by the Biden Administration?(2)
They’ve also indicated they lost confidence in the state’s education accountability system. Senator John Legg (R-Lutz), who chairs the Senate pre-K to 12th grade education committee, said he supports closing this gap, stating, “this is not about failing students, but about being honest with students on their grade-level capacity”, by using the NAEP as a reference point.
The Department of Education has stated that no one test will be used for promotion or graduation decisions, reasoning these types of decisions ultimately lie with the local school districts.
(H/T Politico)
