Wakulla County 10th Graders #1 in State for FCAT Writing Scores

Wakulla High School 10th grade students scored #1 in the state for their high FCAT Writing scores released by the Florida Department of Education May 8, 2008. Stated Superintendent David Miller, “I commend the high school’s teachers and administrators for their commitment to hold the standards high for our students. They know we are serious about preparing them for success after high school. Of course, the students are the real heroes here. Teachers and students both put in the hard work needed to achieve this top honor.”

WHS is in its fourth year of an intensive project that requires all 9th grade students to take a semester Writing I course. In addition, students write on schoolwide prompts five to six times throughout the school year. WHS English teachers stay after hours to grade over 750 essays each time.

Principal Mike Crouch notes, “Our English teachers are well-schooled in the scoring rubric that tells students what they can do to move an acceptable essay into the impressive realm. We know our students are taking this skill with them after high school. Our ‘College Readiness’ statistics show Wakulla students have significantly fewer remedial college courses than their counterparts from other districts.”

This year’s 10th graders also were well prepared by Wakulla Middle School and Riversprings Middle School where they took the 8th grade FCAT Writing test two years ago. Sophomores reminded Mr.Crouch of the prediction they made as 9th graders to beat last year’s 10th graders who ranked #2 in the state. “They certainly met their goal with pride coming in at #1,” stated Crouch.

Sopchoppy Education Center 10th grade students, under the leadership of Dr. Tom Askins, also added to the overall #1 ranking for Wakulla as all of their students performed above grade level on the essay.

Wakulla’s 8th grade students combined to rank #6 in the state, and the elementary students came in at #9 in the state. The FCAT Writing test is given to students in grades 4, 8 and 10 across the state in February of each year.

This article originally published on May 9, 2008.