Wakulla High School 9th and 10th grade students performed well on the Reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

The first wave of FCAT scores was released on May 18 by the Florida Department of Education.  This year’s test scores reflect new, more rigorous standards with cut scores for proficiency made tougher from last year.

Of the nine districts in the region consisting of Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Liberty, Franklin, Madison, Calhoun, and Taylor, the Wakulla 10th graders came in at #2, behind only Calhoun County.  Sixty percent of Wakulla’s 10th graders scored proficient in Reading, coming in 6th highest in the state.  Across the state, proficiency was 50%.

Of Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Liberty, Franklin, Madison, Calhoun, and Taylor, the Wakulla 9th graders came in tied for #1 with Leon County.  Fifty-seven percent of 9th graders scored proficient in Reading, coming in 10th highest in the state.  Across the state, proficiency was 52%.

“It is a tribute to the dedication of our teachers that despite continuously being asked to do more, to set higher standards, all while actually taking home a smaller paycheck with the additional 3% they must now pay to the state funds, they still give 100% to our students every day,” stated Superintendent David Miller.  “They are really an admirable group who has our students’ best interests at heart, no matter what new challenges they face.”

FCAT Writing scores caused controversy throughout the state when they were first released earlier in May.  The FCAT Writing tests given in grades 4, 8, and 10 were completely new and more rigorous this year coupled with higher cut scores.  This caused a re-release of cut scores from the Florida Department of Education on May 18 because of the unprecedented drop in scores across the state.

Wakulla’s 4th grade students came in at #5 in the state on Writing with a mean score of 3.1 on a scale of 1 to 6, with the state average at 3.3.  Wakulla 8th graders averaged 3.4, exceeding the state average of 3.3 and ranking #4 in the state.  Wakulla High School 10th graders ranked #4 in the state with a 3.3 average to the state’s 3.4.

Only 9th and 10th grade FCAT Reading and 4th, 8th, and 10th grade FCAT Writing scores have been released.  Coming later are Reading scores for grades 3 through 8; and Math scores for grades 3 through 10.

“I am confident that the rest of the scores will reflect the hard work of our students and teachers,” noted Superintendent Miller.  “However, these test scores are only a snapshot of the variety of ways Wakulla educators prepare our children every day to realize their dreams.”

< Prev		Next >

You need to login or register to post comments.
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)