The state released third-grade FCAT reading and math results Thursday and the falling scores came as no surprise.
Orange County Reading proficiency went down from 70 percent to 56 percent, as did the state average which moved from 72 percent to 56 percent.
In third-grade FCAT Math scores moved from 76 percent down to 58 percent. The state average adjusted 20 percentage points, from 78 percent proficiency to 58 percent.
The falling scores mirrored the FCAT grade 9 and 10 Reading proficiency, where less than 50 percent of Orange County students were found to be proficient.
In 2012, more demanding standards were introduced in FCAT 2.0, and scores have dropped across the board. Dismal state-wide FCAT Writing Results led the Florida State Board of Education to reverse course and adjust the more rigid proficiency standards which had been introduced, for this year only.
Still, amongst third grade there were some high performing readers, according to OCPS officials. The top three elementary schools in Reading are Princeton (89%), Stone Lakes (86%) and Palm Lake (85%). Princeton improved 13 percentage points over last year. Stone Lakes went up three points.
Eccleston Elementary High School bucked the trend and recorded the greatest gain in Reading proficiency over last year, with scores increasing by 15 percentage points.
The top performers in math in Orange County were Avalon Elementary third graders with 91 percent proficiency. Stone Lakes registered at 86 percent and Windermere came in at 85 percent scoring at Level 3 or above. Fourteen schools were at 80 percent or better.
Three Points Elementary was the most improved performer with an eight percentage point increase in Math scores, compared to last year.
The Florida Department of Education has launched a new website to answer parents’ queries regarding the changed criteria for grading FCAT and the associated falling results. A Hotline has also been established (866-507-1109), for similar purposes.
