FSA Parent Information
Mathematics, English Language
Arts (ELA), & Science
Agenda
 FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT PORTAL
 TEST SECURITY
 COMPUTER BASED TESTING
 MATH
 New Standards
 Assessment information
 Test Item Specifications
 English Language Arts (ELA)
 New Standards
 Assessment information
 Test Item Specifications
 SCIENCE
 FCAT Assessment
Test Security
 Assessments can only be given by Certified Teachers
 Staff can act as Proctors if trained.
 Teachers must sign a Test Administration & Security
Agreement as well as a Prohibited Activities Agreement
 Students will make a Test Rules Acknowledgement.
 Test Group Codes will be created for each session
 Seating Charts will be created for each session
 Security Logs will be kept for each test
Student Test Rules Acknowledgement
 Acknowledgement reads “During the test you must not…”
 Talk to other students or make disruptions
 Look at another student’s Writing Folder, planning sheet and or
test items
 Allow another student to look at your Writing Folder, planning
sheet and or test items
 Ask for help responding to the Writing Folder, planning sheet and
or test items
 Give help to another student in responding to the Writing Folder,
planning sheet and or test items
 Have notes or scratch paper other than your planning sheet, and
work folders or worksheet.
 Have any electronic devices in your possession at any time,
including breaks, even if you do not use them
 Fail to follow any instructions given
Student Test Rules
Acknowledgement Continued
 After the test you may not discuss the writing
prompt/test items with anyone. This includes any
type of electronic communication, such as texting,
emailing, or posting online for example, on websites
like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. If you are found
sharing information about the Writing Prompt or
Test Items, even without the intent to cheat, your
test will be invalidated.
 No Questions asked and no exceptions
Florida Standards Assessment:
Mathematics & English Language Arts (ELA)
 FSA Portal
 http://www.fsassessments.org
 The state has released:
 Test Design Summary (blue prints)
 Test Item Specifications
 Training Tests (online practice tests)
Transition to Computer Based Testing
Mathematics & ELA
Computer Based Testing
 Every student must complete a ePat practice test
prior to logging into the FSA.
 WACS has scheduled several practices to occur before
the tests to ensure students are comfortable with the
computer assessment set up and tools.
 Students can also practice at home via the
assessment portal www.fsassessments.org/ePats
 WACS will be testing in 2 Computer Labs, 1 Laptop Lab
and a Sublab which is used for ESE pullout students.
Mathematics
New Standards for Mathematics
 Mathematics Florida Standards (MAFS)
 http://www.cpalms.org/Standards/mafs.aspx
 Breeze Presentation to describe changes in MAFS from
Common Core State Standards
 https://connect.palmbeachschools.org/mafs_elemen
tary/
Mathematics Sessions and Times
Grade
Time
Sessions*
CBT in 2015?
3
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
No
4
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
No
5
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
Yes
6
180 mins
3 (60 mins each)
Yes
7
180 mins
3** (60 mins each)
Yes
8
180 mins
3** (60 mins each)
Yes
Algebra 1
180 mins
2**
Yes
Geometry
180 mins
2**
Yes
* All Sessions administered over 2 days. ESE students may have
up to 100% more time if allowed in their IEP.
** Session 1 is the non-calculator portion of the assessment
Test Length - Mathematics
Grade/Course
Number of Items
3
60-64
4
60-64
5
60-64
6
62-66
7
62-66
8
62-66
Algebra
64-68
Geometry
64-68
Note: Approximately 6-10 items on all of the tests listed above are experimental (field
test) items and are included in the ranges above but are NOT included in students’
scores.
Materials for testing
 Middle School students will be taking the math test
for the course they are taking . For example; 7th
grades in Algebra I Honors will take the Algebra EOC
and NOT the 7th grade Math test.
 ESE allowable accommodations: test administrator or
CBT can read directions, math items, math answer
choices, EOC answer choices.
Materials for testing
 Math Reference Sheets in grades 4 -8, Algebra I and
Geometry 1
 Calculators used in grades 7 & 8 for Session 2 & 3 only.
 Four page Math Work Folder in grades 5 – 8. New
Work Folder provided for each session.
Math Reference Sheets
Math Reference Sheets
Math Reference Sheets
Test Design Summary – Grade 3
Test Design Summary – Grade 4
Test Design Summary – Grade 5
Test Design Summary – Grade 6
Test Design Summary – Grade 7
Test Design Summary – Grade 8
Test Design Summary – Algebra 1
Test Design Summary – Geometry
Test Item Specifications
Question Item Types
The Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) are composed
of test items that include:
 Traditional multiple-choice items
 Items that require students to type or write a
response
 Technology-enhanced items (TEIs) which are
computer-delivered items that require students to
interact with test content to select, construct, and/or
support their answers.
Important!
 Grades 3-4 will use the following item types:
 Multiple Choice
 Equation Response
 Multiple Select
 Grade 5+ will also use additional item types (TEIs) on the Computerbased test
Item Types
 Multiple Choice
Item Types
 Equation Response
Item Types
 Multiple Select Response
Item Types
 Open Response
Item Types
Graphic Response Item Display – Drag and Drop
Item Types
Graphic Response Item Display – Drag and Drop
Item Types
 Graphic Response – Hot Text
Item Types
 Graphic Response – Hot Text
Item Types
 Graphic Response Item Display
Item Types
Graphic Response Item Display
Item Types
 Table Response
Item Types
 Matching Item Response
Item Types
 More than one item type at a time
Technology Enhanced Items
(TEIs)
Percentage of Computer-Based Test Composed of TEIs
Grade/Course
Percentage Range
Grades 5-8 ELA
25% - 50%
Grades 5-8 Mathematics
25% - 50%
Algebra 1, Geometry
40% - 60%
Grades 3 and 4 Mathematics test, once computer-based,
will also be comprised of 25% - 50% TEIs.
What is the School Doing to Support
Teachers in Math?
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Math Teams
Unit Assessments
Mid-Unit Checkpoints
Problems of the Day
Number Talks
New FS Aligned Go Math Curriculum in Middle School
FSA aligned teacher resources
FSA aligned tutoring for students after school
English Language Arts (ELA)
Reading and Writing Components
English Language Arts (ELA)
 Writing now included in the ELA assessment but is
tested earlier
 New Standards
 Assessment Information
 Test Item Specifications
New Standards for ELA
 Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS)
 http://www.flstandards.org/resources/parents_families.aspx
Materials for Testing
 ELA Writing (grades 4 - 8) will have a one page Planning
Sheet. Grades 4-7 are paper-based tests and 8th is CBT.
 ELA Reading (grades 5-8) will have a one page CBT
Worksheet. New Worksheet will be provided for each
session.
 Headphones must be used for all ELA CBT sessions.
 Grades 3 & 4 are paper based tests.
 ESE allowable accommodations; test administrator or CBT
can read directions, writing prompt, question items, and
answer choices. They CAN NOT read the reading passages.
FSA ELA Sessions and Times
ELA – Writing Component
Grade
Time*
Sessions
CBT?
4
90 mins
1
No
5
90 mins
1
No
6
90 mins
1
No
7
90 mins
1
No
8
90 mins
1
Yes
• All students may have an additional 30 minutes, if needed.
ESE students may have up to 100% more time if allowed in
their IEP.
Text-Based Writing
Stimulus
Writing Prompt
FSA ELA - Sessions and Times
ELA Reading Component
Grade
Time
Sessions*
CBT?
3
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
No
4
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
No
5
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
Yes
6
170 mins
2 (85 mins each)
Yes
7
170 mins
2 (85 mins each)
Yes
8
170 mins
2 (85 mins each)
Yes
All Sessions administered over 2 days. ESE students may
have up to 100% more time if allowed in their IEP.
Test Length - ELA
Grade/Course
Number of Items
3
56-60
4
56-60
5
56-60
6
58-62
7
58-62
8
58-62
Note: Approximately 6-10 items within the Reading, Language Arts, and Listening
components listed above are experimental (field test) items and are included in the
ranges above but are NOT included in students’ scores.
Test Design Summary – Grade 3
Test Design Summary – Grade 4
Test Design Summary – Grade 5
Test Design Summary – Grade 6
Test Design Summary – Grade 7
Test Design Summary – Grade 8
FSA-ELA Reading Component
Number of Test Items: 56 – 60
Word Count Range for a Text or Text Set
Grade 3
100 – 700
Grade 4
100 – 900
Grade 5
200 – 1000
Grade 6
200 – 1100
Grade 8
350 – 1200
Resources
Grade 7
300 – 1100
Grades 3 and 4 (Paper-Based): Test and Answer Book
Grade 5 (Computer-Based): One-Page “Work Folder” for Notetaking
This is optional because students may also take notes using an on-screen notepad.
Item Type: Multiple Choice
Item Type: Multiselect
Item Type: Open Response
Item Type: Hot Text
Item Type: Two Part-Hot Text
Item Type: Evidence-Based Selected
Response
Item Type: Grid Item
Item Type: Multimedia
Editing Task
Word Count Range for Grades 3,4, and 5
100-200 Word Count
Science
(grades 5 & 8 only)
 Science will continue to be assessed by the Florida
Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) until 2017Testing window: April 13-May 8
 Classroom Science instruction targets
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)
Excellent Resources available on-line @ www.cpalms.org
 Science Standards are packaged into “BIG IDEAS” of
instruction according to grade level (next slide)
Science Sessions and Materials
Grade
Time
Sessions*
Days
5
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
2
8
160 mins
2 (80 mins each)
1
• Students in grade 8 will receive a four-function handheld
calculator and periodic table of elements.
• ESE students may have up to 100% more time if allowed in
their IEP.
*An important note:
Not all Big Ideas are
taught each year so
this requires
mastery of science
content within
other grade levels
of instruction.
We encourage
parents to be aware
of the expectations
within science
instruction and to
work with their
children to ensure
their understanding
of such concepts.
FSA Student Scores
• This assessment is a baseline assessment since this is a brand new state
test.
• Students will receive a 2 types of scores:
T score – scale of 20-80 with 50 being the approximate statewide
average
Percentile rank – shows how each student performed compared to
other students throughout Florida that took the same
test
• Achievement Levels will be created by the state over the Summer of 2015
and released in the Fall
• Grade 3 Retention based on ELA score – Student performance will be
linked to the 2013-2014 student performance expectations.
Civics EOC
 Administered through CBT platform called TestNav8
 The assessment is given in one 160-minute session with a
10-minute break after the first 80 minutes.
 For Civics, there are 52-56 multiple-choice items.
 Six to 10 of these items on each assessment are field test
items and are NOT used to calculate student scores.
 Individual breaks may be allowed as needed. Students may
not be dismissed during the first 80 minutes; however, if
they complete the test in the first 80 minutes, they may be
dismissed at the beginning of the 10-minute break.
 Although the assessment is scheduled for a 160-minute
session, any student not finished by the end of the 160
minutes may continue working.
 Testing must be completed within the same school day.
 There are multiple forms of each assessment.
Civics – Data Based Questions (DBQ)
Civics – Data Based Questions (DBQ)
Parents Please:
 Have you child get a good night sleep before testing days.
 Do not plan family activates that would required late
bedtimes
 Feed your child a protein rich breakfast. NO coffee or
energy drinks please.
 Have your child to school ON TIME each day of testing. Late
arrivals will not be permitted to enter the testing room.
 If your child is sick, coughing, or running a fever DO NOT
SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. We will hold them out of the
testing room.
 NO EARLY DISMISSALS on testing days.
 DO Not ask your child about the testing content.
 Reminder: No electronic devices allowed in testing rooms,
during breaks, or at lunch. Their test will be invalidated. No
exceptions.
Any Questions?