TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- This year's results on the state's standardized writing test are virtually unchanged from last year.
More than three-fourths of public school students still scored at or above the minimum standard, according to results released Thursday.
Eighth graders did a little better in all categories while 4th- and 10th-grade students held steady or dropped a bit but
the differences are all slight.
In Orange County, there were some signicant successes:
- Orange Center Elementary: Up 31 points
- Lake Como Elementary: Up 21 points
- Richmond Heights Elementary: Up 19 points
- Castle Creek Elementary: Up 12 points
- Zellwood Elementary: Up 11 points
- Cheney Elementary, Lancaster Elementary, Rock Lake Elementary: Up 10 points
- Corner Lake Middle, Freedom Middle, Legacy Middle: Up 11 points
- Liberty Middle: Up 10 points
- Oak Ridge High School, Ocoee High School: Up 7 points
Scores on the reading, math and science portions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test will be released within the next month.
The FCAT has become the focus of such hysteria because it is used to reward and sanction students, teachers and schools. High schoolers must pass it to earn a regular diploma and it determines whether third-graders are promoted.
High FCAT scores can mean cash awards for schools and bonuses for teachers. Failing grades can result in administrative shake-ups.
But lawmakers were successful in having other factors play a role in how schools are assessed -- like graduation rates, college entrance tests and participation in advanced classes.