Each Academic year has a test Assessments, yes, but which one?
FSA, EOC, SSA or SAT, quesaco? The initials of the tests that punctuate the school life of your children in Florida. From elementary school to the last months of high school, these mostly national examinations have undergone many changes over time to adapt more and more to the course of student life, even if they are not all decisive in passing In the top year. What subjects do they concern? What is their influence? It is not only your child who will learn his lesson tonight ...
The Florida Standard Assessments (FSA)
He is the successor to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The FSA passes each year in the main subjects, and to sanction the end of an education in the college or the high school.
The FSA in the main subjects
What's this ? The Florida Standard Assessments is a test that evaluates the level of students in the main academic subjects (Maths and Language). It is "standardized", meaning it is established according to specific criteria defined for each grade by the State of Florida. The schools are awarded a grade from A to F according to the results obtained by their students in this test. This score is very important because it determines whether the institution is eligible for financial aid and rewards or, on the contrary, penalties.
How? The FSA is done on computers. However, paper versions are available for Grades 3 and 4.
When? The test is given in the spring, so that the results are returned before the end of the school year.
For which year (s)? : Students are tested each year from grade 3 to 10 in Reading and Writing (the test is then called ELA, Exam of Language Arts) and grade 3 to 8 in Math.
The score, and after? The state of Florida uses the "percentile rank" method to evaluate test results. This system indicates which percentage of children did worse or better than yours for the test. Thus, if a student is in the 84th percentile, you can congratulate him, because this means that 84% of Florida's other students have done worse than him!
Another similar means of notation used is the T-Score. If your child received a T-score of 50, this means that half of the students did less well than him, and so the other half, better.
The score goes from 1 (low) to 5 (excellent) and a score of 3 is considered a satisfactory score. Then, scores are sent to students, schools and districts and are posted on the Florida Department of Education website.
EOC (End Of Course exam)
What's this ? The EOC is an examination that sanctions the end of an education during college or high school in Florida. Indeed, if certain general subjects are on the program each year, algebra or geometry are taught only for 1 or 2 years. At the end of their apprenticeship, the student receives this specific test, to validate his achievements. The End of Course exam covers the subjects of History-Geo (Civics and U.S. History), Science (Biology 1), and more recently in Maths (Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2).
How? The EOC test is performed on computers but paper versions are available for some cases. The test lasts 90 minutes and there are 2 sessions. It must have a maximum of 68 questions.
When? In spring in general, but several other sessions are possible.Group of Young Students Studying together at Library
For which year? The year in which the curriculum is taken, which can be different or the level of the student in previous years (one can follow Algebra 1 in grade 8 if one is very advanced in math, but also in grade 9 if one is Less good, ditto for geometry ...).
The score, and after? It goes from 425 to 575 and gives a level from 1 (low) to 5 (excellent). Namely, the score obtained at the Geometry EOC is 30% of your final average in the material, then to your squares!
The Statewide Science Assessment (SSA)
The SSA is a standardized examination that sanctions the level of science students according to the new NGSSS (Next Generation Sunshine State Standards) criteria.
How? The Statewide Science Assessment consists of 2 sessions of 80 minutes with a break in the middle of each session. The test is carried out over two days for grade 5 and one day for grade 8.
When? In the spring generally.
For which year? The test is administered for grade 5 and 8 students.
The score, and after? The score goes from 140 to 260 for the 2 grades, which gives a level of 1 (low) To 5 (excellent). Level 3, once again, indicates that the student has validated his or her achievements.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
What's this ? Created in 1926, the SAT is a standard test widely used by colleges and universities in the United States to assess the general level of High School high school students. It has been developed and is administered by the College Board, an independent American organization. The College Board certifies that the score obtained at the Scholastic Assessment Test, correlated with the general average of a pupil (GPA), accurately reflects his level of knowledge and performance for college entrance.
How? The SAT remains a paper test over 3 hours plus 50 minutes for a test, in Maths, Critical Reading and Writing. The Maths section takes place in 2 steps (with and without calculator).
When? It is possible to pass the SAT 7 times in the year, at the beginning of the month, from October to June. In this case, registrations are made on the College Board website.
For which year (s)? Some pass the first year of high school (Freshman) but possibility of passing it in grade 11 (Junior) and 12 (Senior).
The score, and after? The SAT thus concerns 3 domains, Maths, Critical Reading and Writing. Each section is rated 200 to 800 and the national average is around 500, all sections combined. Students receive their scores via the internet about 3 weeks after the test, and 6 weeks later.