FCAT retake exam shows higher math, lower reading scores

Fewer students that retook the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) are passing the reading portion, according to results released earlier in the week.

In fact, out of 1,598 Palm Beach County students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who re-took the reading exam only 228 passed- that totals 14 percent. Statewide, 28,002 students re-took the exam and 4,841 passed totaling 17 percent.

On the brighter side, county students are excelling in math.

Out of 434 county students who re-took the exam, 79 passed totaling 18 percent. Statewide, 8,167 students re-took the exam and 2,028 passed or 25 percent.

Last year’s reading scores show 1,850 Palm Beach County students re-took the exam and 315 passed or 17 percent. Statewide, 27,772 students re-rook the reading exam and 5,776 passed or 21 percent.

Also, last year’s math scores show 466 students re-took the exam and 70 passed or 15 percent. Statewide, 8,298 students re-took the exam and 1,749 passed or 21 percent.

The district analysis shows from 2006 to 2007, the percent passing the mathematics test for the School District of Palm Beach County increased by 3 percent from 15 percent to 18 percent, while the percent passing the reading test declined by 3 percent from 17 percent to 14 percent.

Additionally, in 2007, the School District percents passing in the tests (14 percent in reading and 18 percent in math) continued to be lower than those of the state (17 percent in reading and 25 percent in math).

Also, from 2006-2007, the number of county students taking the reading test decreased significantly while the number of students taking the math test decreased slightly.

District officials, however, say those numbers may be misleading.

“There is a limitation in the analysis of the summer retake data. Because of fluctuations in the number of SDPBC students taking the summer test, caution should be used when comparing the district percent passing with the state percent passing or when comparing the district percent passing from one year to the next,” district officials wrote in the summary of the retake scores.

Dean Stecker, Director of Research and Evaluation for the School District of Palm Beach County, said the scores were difficult to analyze since the state did not give specifics, such as which students retook the exam.

“I have no idea if I’m comparing apples to apples,” said Stecker. “I don’t know what kids passed it at an earlier time and what kids are left in the pool this time.”

Stecker continued, “I am reluctant to draw any conclusions from the executive summary. Additionally, based on limitations, I don’t think we have enough information to make educational policy to guide instruction.”