6A-1.09422: Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Requirements
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to establish the writing grade-level scale scores for each achievement level and the writing graduation passing score as part of the student achievement testing program known as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The effect will be the reporting of student academic performance in writing by achievement levels and the requirement of students to pass the grade 10 FCAT in writing in order to qualify for a standard high school diploma.
SUMMARY: This rule is amended to specify score ranges that define five achievement levels for the writing portion of the FCAT for grades 4, 8, and 10, and to establish the passing score for the writing graduation requirement.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.02, 1008.22 (3)(c)5, 1008.22 (11) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1001.11, 1008.22, 1008.25, 1008.33 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: January 16, 2006, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Cornelia Orr, Director, Assessment and School Performance, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 414, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850)245-0513
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
6A-1.09422
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) The FCAT shall be administered as follows:
(a) through (d) No change.
(e) The FCAT shall be administered to students in grades 3 through 9 not less than one time per year on a schedule approved by the Commissioner and up to three times per year for students who do not attain minimum performance expectations on the grade 10 FCAT as specified in subsections (7) and (8) of this rule.
(4) Examinee scores on FCAT reading and mathematics shall be reported on a score scale from 100 to 500 defined by the baseline test administered during January and February 1998, and a developmental scale of approximately 0 to 3000 that defines performance across grades 3 through 10. Examinee scores on FCAT Science shall be reported on a score scale from 100 to 500 defined by the baseline test administered during March 2003. Examinee scores on FCAT Writing+ shall be reported on a score scale from 100 to 500 defined by the baseline test administered during February 2006. Each examinee shall receive a total score for each subject area in addition to part scores that can be reliably reported.
(5) The total scores on FCAT Reading, Mathematics, Writing+, and Science, are also reported on an achievement-level scale. The total scores that correspond to each achievement level are shown in the following paragraphs.
(a) through (c) No change.
(d) Beginning with the effective date of this rule, the achievement levels for Writing+ shall be as shown in the following table.
Writing+ grade-level scale scores (100 to 500) for each achievement level:
Grade Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
4 100-239 240-289 290-364 365-426 427-500
8 100-249 250-298 299-355 356-415 416-500
10 100-249 250-299 300-341 342-402 403-500
(6) Pursuant to Section 1008.22(3)(c)5., Florida Statutes, students who were enrolled in grade nine in the fall of 1999 and thereafter, shall be required to earn passing scores on the grade ten Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in reading and mathematics. Students who were enrolled in grade nine in the fall of 2006 and thereafter, shall be required to earn passing scores on the grade ten Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in writing.
(7) No change.
(8) For students in the graduating class of 2009-10 school year and beyond, the passing score for the writing test shall be a score equal to or greater than 300 on the 100 to 500 scale.
(9)(8) After July 1, 2005, and before March 1, 2006, tThe Commissioner of Education shall review annually student performance levels and recommend to the State Board of Education whether to maintain the existing passing scores and achievement levels (step 1) or to increase one or more both of the requirements.
(9) through (11) renumbered (10) through (12) No change.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1008.22 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1001.11, 1008.22, 1008.25, 1008.33 FS. History–New 1-24-99, Amended 10-7-01, 1-22-02, 12-23-03, 3-27-06,_________.