Administrators discuss the FCAT and other topics with students

The main topic is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, which will be administered next month, but other academic information is also being discussed.

In today's meeting, students from three English classes heard a presentation by Assistant Principal Dr. Judy Gallagher.

In the photo she is pointing to a sample calculation of a student's final average for a year-long course. According to Pasco County School District guidelines, a student who has a year average of at least 60, which is the lowest "D," will receive the full credit for a course, even if his or her average for one of the semesters is under 60.

The results of the FCAT are used in part by the Florida Department of Education to determine each school's letter grade. However, students' scores can also affect their course schedules for the following year, as some low-performing students are placed in remedial classes, which replace electives.

All ninth- and tenth-grade students will attend one session, conducted either by Dr. Gallagher, Assistant Principal Thomas Brochu, or Principal Thomas Imerson. Meetings are being held in classrooms and in Room 256.

At each meeting students are provided a print-out of their most recent FCAT scores. They are using data from the print-out and information they hear at the presentation to fill out a form. The filled-out forms will be mailed to parents.

The form and an accompanying cover letter are shown below.

Your First Name (Print) ____________________________

Your Student Number __ __ __ __ __ __ Grade _____

As the administrator covers each topic, take notes on this form. This sheet will be collected at the end of the talk.

Administrator who gave your talk: ____________________

There are three important requirements to graduate:
1. _________ Grade Point Average
What was your lowest first semester letter grade? _____
About Year Long Averaging of Grades:
_____ + _____ ÷ 2 = ______
If the year average is a "D" you receive a full credit.

2. _____ Credits
(Exception: ___ credits. If you are an exception you must meet with your counselor: Mrs. ________________.)

3. Pass both __________________________ & ________________________ of the FCAT
(F_________________ C_________________ A_________________ T__________________)
Review the sheet you have been given.
Reading:
Your Developmental Scaled Score: ___________ Achievement Level: ______
Math:
Your Developmental Scaled Score: ___________ Achievement Level: ______
Note: If you have not taken the FCAT in Pasco County you will not have a score sheet. Place "0" in the blanks.

What score is considered "passing"? Freshmen: Reading: 1857 Math: 1917
Sophomores: Reading: 1926 Math: 1889 Growth: You are expected to increase your score by 77 points over last year's scores.
What area of Math is your lowest % of Correct?
_____________________________
What area of Reading is your lowest % of Correct?
_____________________________

What are the dates for this year's FCAT?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

Please understand that if your developmental scaled score is not at the level needed, you will be scheduled into Intensive Reading and/or Intensive Math next school year. You may have to give up one of your electives. The Intensive classes can be repeated.

Student Planner: Refer to Pages 28 (GPA), 36 & 37 (FCAT Math information), 38 & 39 (6 Traits of Writing)

What have you been doing (in class and on your own) to do the very best you can do on the FCAT?

Talk about the booklet:

Name of booklet which was discussed: ______________________________
___________________________________________________________________
This booklet contains information about: __________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Please sign and date this form:

Signature: __________________ Date: __________________

Within the last few days GHS administrators have visited in 9th and 10th Grade English classrooms to discuss some very important information. Enclosed in this mailing are two items we ask you to review with your child. The first item is an outline the students completed as the talk was given. If the way your child completed the form does not meet with your standards, please discuss that with your child - we did not have the time to review every form prior to mailing. The second item is a form which gives FCAT scores the student received in past years.

Students and parents need to know the Developmental Scale Scores from the most recent FCAT the student took. By using the charts below you can determine where your child fell within the FCAT scores. The FCAT Score Sheet also indicates how your child scored on various portions of the test. On the worksheet you will also find information about graduation requirements.

The FCAT will be administered to the students on the following schedule:

We encourage parents to take an active role in preparing their child for the FCAT. Students need to be well rested. Additionally, they need to be prepared by knowing where their testing room will be and having pencils.

I have great faith in our students and know each of them will do well on this very important assessment.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Imerson, Principal

Enclosures