LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Statewide Assessment Information
February 2016
The first round of spring Florida Standards Assessmsents (FSA) begins with students in grades 4-7
taking the English Language Arts paper-based writing exam March 1. Students in grades 8-10 will take
the computer-based exam one day betewen Feb. 29 and March 11. For specific testing dates at your
student's school, please visit the school web site or contact your child's school testing coordinator.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can students and parents prepare for the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) and End-ofcourse (EOC) exams?
The FSA Portal provides resources for students, parents, educators, test administrators, school assessment
coordinators, district assessment coordinators, and technology coordinators. Some of the resources
available include:






The 2015-16 FSA ELA and Math Fact Sheet and Alg I, Alg 2 and Geometry EOC Fact Sheet
provide an overview of the FSA assessments.
Training tests are provided for users to become familiar with the computer-based system,
functionality, and item types; the tests are not intended to guide classroom instruction. Practice
test guides, answer keys and practice test materials are provided on the site.
Writing scoring samplers are available to define how points will be given within each domain.
Test item specifications define the content and format of the assessment and test items for each
grade level and subject.
The test design summaries and blueprints for ELA and for mathematics provide more detailed
information about the assessments, including the percentage of items in each content category,
cognitive complexity, and approximate number of test items.
The mathematics and materials document describes policies and materials specific to the
mathematics assessments, such as calculators and reference sheets. In addition, the scientific
calculator is provided for student practice.
Information on other state EOC’s can be found on the Florida Department of Education Website:
http://fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/end-of-course-eoc-assessments.
What are the administration dates for the state and district assessments?
Dates for the state and district assessments can be found on the Lake County Assessment Calendar.
How do schools use assessment performance data to schedule students into courses?
Assessment performance data is analyzed to place students in the appropriate courses to meet student needs
including courses for additional support and enrichment. Assessment performance results inform the
quality and integrity of teaching and learning for students as they progress through their academic career.
The district is not required to reschedule students into remedial courses if they do not earn a passing score
on the FSA.
1
Does a student have to take the Florida Standards Assessment?
Recently, questions and conversations have arisen regarding the requirements for participating in state
assessments and the impact to students and schools. Florida Statutes Section 1008.22(3), states in pertinent
part “Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all school districts and all students attending
public schools….” Furthermore, Florida Statutes Section 1008.25(4) further states in pertinent part “Each
student must participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program required by s.1008.22….”
Statewide assessment testing is customarily accomplished through the FSA, FCAT, FSAA or end of course
exams (collectively “Assessment Testing”).
Florida law does not contain any provisions that would permit parents or students to refuse participating in
statewide assessments or opting out. Failure to participate in Assessment Testing may have multiple
adverse results for a student in regards to placement in appropriate courses and grade levels. In addition,
students who fail to participate in required end-of-course exams risk the opportunity to earn middle school
and high school credits in these courses.
Florida law also stipulates that if a threshold percentage of students are not administered the required
assessment, the individual schools may receive an “Incomplete” school grade, thereby having a potentially
negative impact on the school and surrounding community. In addition, by not having accurate
performance data for all students, a true reflection of the school’s performance cannot be determined.
If a grade 3 student does not take the Florida Standards Assessment – English/Language Arts (FSA –
ELA), can the student be promoted to fourth grade without that score?
Third grade students must participate in the statewide standardized assessment program required by
section 1008.22, F.S. and demonstrate proficiency in reading in order to be promoted to fourth grade.
Students not achieving a Level 2 or higher on the statewide assessment may qualify for one of six good
cause promotion categories.
What alternative assessment(s) may be administered to a third grade child who has scored Level 1
on the FSA to determine if he/she qualifies for good cause exemption and promotion to fourth grade?
Students not achieving a Level 2 or higher on the statewide assessment may qualify for a good cause
exemption. The Lake County School District uses the Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition (SAT
10) as the alternate nationally norm-referenced assessment for good cause promotion as authorized in Rule
6A‐1.094221(1)(A), F.A.C.
Is a portfolio option available for good cause promotion for third grade students?
Section 1008.25(6)(b)4 F.S. provides that a student who demonstrates, through a student portfolio, that
the student is performing at least at Level 2 on the statewide standardized assessment is eligible for a
good cause exemption.
What are the consequences for a Grade 10 student who does not take the FSA‐ELA test or the
Algebra I EOC exam? If my student does not take the FSA‐ELA test or Algebra I EOC exam and
passes the SAT, ACT or PERT, do they still receive their diploma or will my student receive a
certificate of completion?
To meet graduation requirements for a standard diploma, students must earn a passing score on the grade
10 FSA‐ELA and Algebra I EOC exams. Students who do not have a passing score on the grade 10 FSA‐
2
ELA test or the Algebra I EOC may earn a state determined concordant score as follows:
 SAT or ACT to meet the grade 10 FSA‐ELA requirement
 PERT to meet the Algebra I requirement
How will students be treated if they refuse to take the test?
Lake County Schools treats students, staff and families with the utmost respect and courtesy.
Students will be administered state assessments as required by statute. It is the expectation that students
will follow the rules of conduct established for the testing environment and will not be disciplined for refusing
to take the test. If there is any disruption that compromises the testing environment, normal test administration
procedures will be followed and the student will be removed from the classroom.
What does the “NR2” designation mean and who decides to designate a test “NR2”?
An “NR2” designation means that the student’s score is not reported because the student did not meet
“attemptedness.” “Attemptedness” is determined by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) after tests
are scored and the status of “NR2” is assigned by FLDOE if “attemptedness” is met.
“Attemptedness” is defined as the actual number of questions a student must answer in each test session.
The number of questions that must be answered to qualify as “attemptedness” is not defined in writing by
the FLDOE. The number of questions attempted in order to receive an “NR2” is subject to change by the
FLDOE. FLDOE does an analysis of test responses to determine “attemptedness” and the goal is to award
scores to as many students as possible.
What implications exist for an “NR2” score?
There are implications to note regarding an NR2, NT (Not Tested), or Level 1 score. Grade 3 students must
demonstrate mastery of the grade 3 standard on the state reading assessment to be promoted to grade 4. If a
Grade 3 student does not have a passing score (Level 2 or above), the student is provided with an opportunity
to take a State-approved nationally normed test, the SAT-10 assessment to achieve promotion via one of
the good cause promotion requirements. Students who fail to pass the SAT 10 will be provided the
opportunity to attend summer reading camp and will be administered the SAT 10 at the conclusion of the
summer reading camp. Good cause promotions also include an option to demonstrate mastery of grade 3
standards with a portfolio.
A grade 10 student who does not have a passing score on the FSA‐ELA test or the Algebra I EOC
exam must earn a passing concordant score on the SAT or ACT for ELA or PERT for Algebra I to
graduate from high school.
What is the impact of “NT” and “NR2” on school grades and teachers?
If a student test is designated as “NT,” the school and the district are penalized for not testing the student
in the “percent tested” portion of the school grade calculation. In addition, the school and district grade
are not accurately reflected by not having ALL student performance accurately reflected in the calculation
of the grade. The absence of scores may have a major impact on a school or district grade depending on
the number of student scores designated as NT.
If a student test is designated as “NR2,” the percent tested requirement is not impacted for a school or a
district grade. However, the school and district grade are not accurately reflected by not having ALL
3
student performance accurately reflected in the calculation of the grade. The absence of scores may have
a major impact on a school or district grade depending on the number of student scores designated as
NR2.
If several students in a teacher’s class receive “NT” or “NR2”, the score assigned to the student
performance portion of the teacher’s evaluation score would be based on only those students who receive
a score. Again, the absence of scores may have a major impact on the student performance portion of
the teacher evaluation depending on the number of student scores designated as NT or NR2.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions related to the FSA?
The first point of contact is the school principal. If the principal is unable to answer additional questions,
he or she will contact the district staff for assistance. You also may email the district at [email protected]
To learn more about the FSA or to access practice tests, please visit the FSA Portal at
http://www.fsassessments.org. Google Chrome is the preferred browser.
4