Only 48 percent of Orange County Public School (OCPS) students in grade 9 performed at or above Achievement Level 3 (on grade level) on FCAT Reading, according to results released by the Florida Department of Education on Friday. This compared to the state average of 52 percent.
OCPS tenth graders obtained similar results where 49 percent performed at or above Level 3 or better, compared with a 50 percent state average.
Notwithstanding these results, local officials said students did better on FCAT Reading tests this spring than in prior years, dating back to 2000. Stand out school were East River and Edgewater high schools which led the district in the percentage of 10th graders who moved out of Level 1 and Level 2 groups to Level 3 or higher.
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.
Seventy-nine percent of OCPS fourth graders passed the test compared to 81 percent on average, statewide. At Level 3.5 and Level 4.0 only 44 percent and 24 percent of students, respectively, passed the test.
In eighth grade, 76 percent of OCPS students passed compared to 78 at state average. However, at Level 3.5 or above, only 48 percent of students were deemed proficient while at Level 4.0 or above, a mere 29 percent.
