Testing results for Orange County students taking the 2011 FCAT Writing tests show improvement at all three grade levels (4, 8 and 10). The improvements are seen in the number of students achieving the Level 4 standard of proficiency, in comparison to 2010 results of Level 4-scoring students.
The state is expected to raise the proficiency standard on the test from a 3.5 average score to a 4.0 score on a six-point scale later this month, putting a greater emphasis on writing skills. Teachers and students responded well to the challenge.
The percentage of Orange County 4th grade students testing at Level 4 or higher rose 18 percentage points from 63 percent to 81 percent. Eighth grade students gained nine points to 80 percent scoring at Level 4 or higher; and 10th grade students bumped up five points to 74 percent at Level 4 or higher.
Overall, Orange County improved more than the average district in the state at the higher Level 4 proficiency standard.
| 2010 Percent at 4.0 or Above | 2011 Percent at 4.0 or Above | |
| Grade 4 – Orange County | 63 | 81 |
| State | 68 | 81 |
| Grade 8 – Orange County | 71 | 80 |
| State | 76 | 82 |
| Grade 10 – Orange County | 69 | 74 |
| State | 72 | 75 |
The perfect score, 100 percent at Level 4 or higher, is the ultimate goal. Rock Lake Elementary on Tampa Avenue in Orlando was the only school in the district to pull it off. And they did it after only 64 percent of last year’s 4th graders scored at Level 4 with 77 percent at the 3.5 average.
Another incredible improvement was seen at Wheatley Elementary in Apopka where 98 percent of the students scored at Level 4 or higher. They rose up from 71 percent at that level in 2010. Other top performers at the 97 percent proficiency level: Avalon Elementary, Sunrise Elementary and Tangelo Park Elementary.
Twenty-four elementary schools scored at 90 percent or better. Windy Ridge K-8, at 97 percent, was the highest of six middle schools that scored at or above 90 percent. Olympia High was the top performer among high schools with 91 percent scoring at Level 4 or higher.
Six elementary schools made 40 percentage points or greater improvements over their 2010 Level 4 scores: Rosemont (52), Killarney (47), Orlo Vista (47), Zellwood (46), Richmond Heights (42,) and Lake Weston (41).
FCAT Writing is based on students writing an essay in a 40-minute time period. The essay is then scored by one grader on a 6-point scale. The state board is expected to set the score at 4 for proficiency on school grades.
These scores will be used in the complex formula to calculate school grades. Scores are adjusted to account for several factors, including mobility, before school grades are calculated. School grades will not be released until late June or July. This is the first release of FCAT scores. The other FCAT scores will be released later in May or June.
