2006 FCAT Scores in
May 24, 2007
High-stakes testing cranks up another notch this year.





The Florida Department of Education released FCAT scores for reading and math in grades four through 10 and science scores for grades five, eight and 11.



In Escambia County, sixth-graders and 10th-graders posted gains over last year's scores in reading, and math scores improved or stayed the same in five of seven grades.



Gains made in reading and math, however, could be offset by dismal science scores, which could cause some schools to wind up losing a letter grade.



"In Florida, we are no different than the rest of the country," said Malcolm Thomas, evaluation services director. "We need to make some improvement in the area of science."



Proponents of the test say tough standards are necessary to improve students' skills.



Statewide, roughly 60 percent of students who took the science portion of the FCAT failed to meet state standards.



Those results were mirrored in Escambia County.



In fifth grade, 39 percent of Escambia students scored at state-accepted standards in science; 35 percent of eighth-graders; and 42 percent of 11th-graders scored within the state's accepted range.



"It was a very tough test," Blue Angels Elementary School Principal Tama Vaughn said.



"We're not allowed to look at the test, but the children seemed to feel they were being challenged."



Santa Rosa County students fared better on the test and Tim Wyrosdick, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, called their performance "solid."



Scores placed Santa Rosa in the top five school districts in Florida across the board in reading, math and science.



"I am pleased, as always, with the effort by our students and teachers," said Jo Ann Simpson, vice chairwoman of the School Board. "To take these tests year after year and score as we do is remarkable."



There were high-performing schools in Escambia County as well. Some 68 percent of students at A.K. Suter Elementary School scored at or above the state's proficiency level in science.



Parent involvement has been found to be a big factor at consistently high-performing schools like Suter.



"The parent involvement is incredible," mother Wanda Kotick said.



Overall, science scores improved at all three grade levels tested, with fifth-graders seeing an 8 percentage point increase from last year's scores.



Only 24 percent of eighth-graders scored at proficiency levels last year. This year, proficiency levels jumped 11 points.



Students at Brown Barge Middle School posted the highest scores among middle schools, with 56 percent meeting or exceeding state standards.



"We're thrilled," Principal Patricia Kerrigan said.



Some of the biggest pressure was felt at the elementary school level, where teachers had to add science to one of the shortest school days in the state, which already is packed with social studies, history, math and reading.



That didn't stop schools such as Oakcrest Elementary from posting impressive gains, however.



In the district, fourth-graders at Oakcrest saw some of the largest learning gains in math -- scoring a 53 percent this year compared to 29 percent last year.



"Our fourth-graders hit a home run all the way around," Oakcrest Principal Dennis Wilson said. "They did well in writing and saw a huge jump in reading as well."



The school did not fare so well in science, however, with only 11 percent of fifth-graders performing at proficiency levels.



Published - May, 24, 2007 Michael Stewart

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