FCAT scores, that is. The Miami Herald says Florida's third-graders did better than last year, perhaps as a result of the new mandatory retention policies:
Statewide, 66 percent of third-graders passed the reading FCAT, compared with 63 percent last year. In Miami-Dade, 57 percent passed, up from 53 percent; and in Broward, 65 percent passed, up from 63 percent.
Without a passing score on the FCAT, it's very difficult for third-graders to go on to the fourth grade. State law requires them to either earn a Level 3 score or better, pass a similar standardized test or put together a complicated portfolio of class work showing their competence.
''When we ended social promotion and raised standards for our high school seniors last year, many were skeptical,'' said Gov. Jeb Bush, according to a statement released by the Department of Education. "Today's results show Florida is moving in the right direction, with more students reading on grade level and significant improvement and opportunities among those who have struggled most.''
The Palm Beach Post also reports good news:
About 23 percent of St. Lucie County third-graders and 12 percent of Martin students are in danger of repeating third grade next year after failing the reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, according to results released Monday.
The failure rate in both counties dropped from last year, when about 25 percent of St. Lucie students and 14 percent of Martin students failed the test. Statewide about 22 percent of third-graders failed the test.
As far as the 10th-grade FCAT goes,Governor Bush recently noted that 10% of Florida's seniors will face a barrier to their diploma based on FCAT scores. Let's find the press releases for ourselves on this. Ah, here we go. From here you can view the webcast from today or dig around for statewide and district-level results. The percent passing results from 12th grade alone aren't that informative, though, because that's just the kids who didn't take/pass the exam earlier.
Oooh, pie charts. Oh, wait, those are just telling us what students are doing after graduation (regardless of whether they passed the FCAT). Fifty-eight percent of those who failed the FCAT last year are enrolled in some kind of secondary education this year, presumably places that take a GED. The Florida DOE has a "Stay In The Loop" page for FCAT flunkers; if you know any senior who didn't pass the test this March, they might be interested in this information.
There's an interesting "FCAT Myths Vs. Facts" sheet available, too.