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Since
1998, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) has been
administered in all Florida public schools for grades 3 through 10 and
is part of the school accountability program. The FCAT is a
criterion-referenced test that was designed to measure Florida students'
achievement of the Mathematics, Language Arts, and Science Sunshine
State Standards.
The test
questions on the FCAT were specifically written to measure various
benchmarks from the Sunshine State Standards which identify what skills
students are expected to know and what they are expected to be able to
do to succeed in work and life. The FCAT is part of Florida's overall
plan to improve education for all of its students and increase
accountability for all of its public schools by providing objective
information about student achievement to help them compete for jobs in
the global marketplace.
The State
Board of Education adopted the Sunshine State Standards as policy, and
according to the laws of Florida, must be a part of each school's
curriculum. The FCAT, which measures selected benchmarks from the
Sunshine State Standards, is part of Florida's overall plan to increase
student achievement by implementing higher standards for public school
students. Quality instruction, aligned with the Sunshine State
Standards, will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need
to be successful with the FCAT. |