FSA test scores rise in most subjects
Central Florida mirrors state gains
Florida students posted higher scores this year than last on state math, science and social studies exams and, in some grades, did better on state reading tests, too, according to results released Thursday afternoon by the Florida Department of Education.
The scores are from the Florida Standards Assessments (which test reading and math skills third grade through high school), the state’s science exams for fifth and eighth graders and end-of-course exams in biology, civics and U.S. history. All the exams are scored on a fivelevel system, with a score of 3 considered passing or at grade level.
The percentage of thirdgraders passing the FSA reading exam fell this year compared to 2017, results released last month show. But today’s batch of scores — from students in all grades — showed improvements in most subjects.
Central Florida’s school districts largely mirrored the state’s performance. Lake County students, for example, showed gains on the U.S. history exam, usually taken by 11th graders. Orange County ninth and 10th graders did better on FSA reading, and
Seminole County fifth graders did better on their state science test compared to counterparts who took it in 2017. Some highlights: In math, students in most grades posted the highest scores since the FSA was introduced in 2015, replacing the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test or FCAT.
The percentage of students passing the algebra 1 end-of-course test — required to earn a diploma — hit 61 percent, up from 56 percent three years ago.
In science, both fifth and eighth grades posted the highest scores since 2012. On the state’s end-ofcourse biology exam — taken by students whenever they take a firstyear high school biology course — 65 percent passed the exam, up from 59 percent six years ago.
In social studies, 71 percent of students passed the state’s civics exam — typically taken by seventh graders — compared to 61 percent in 2014.
And 68 percent of the high school students passed their U.S. history exam, which had a 56 percent passing rate in 2013.
In reading, students in grades 5, 8, 9 and 10 showed improvements from the prior year.
The 10th-grade FSA reading exam also is key, as, along with the algebra test, students must pass it to earn a high school diploma.
Fifty three percent of 10th graders passed it this year, up from 50 percent last year.
Students can retake the algebra and reading exams, if they fail the first time.
The results from these standardized exams are used to calculate the annual A-to-F school grades given to Florida’s public schools. Those grades are typically released mid-summer.
The scores can also play into teachers’ evaluations and students’ promotion and graduation decisions, class assignments and course grades.
Schools typically make individual student scores available to parents soon after the state’s release, either through online grade portals or with paper copies available for pickup on campus.