“I am so proud of our students and pleased for our educators!” ~Thomas

School district does well with writing FCAT

Gains come despite tougher test

By Cheri Harris, Citrus Chronicle
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Local public school officials see reason to celebrate in test scores released Wednesday.

2011 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Writing results show that district-wide, more students are scoring higher on the standardized test given to fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders.

According to information on the Florida Department of Education website, this year 81 percent of Citrus County fourth-graders scored a 4 or higher on the 6-point grading scale compared to 60 percent in 2010; 88 percent of eighth-graders scored a four or higher compared to 80 percent last year; and 77 percent of 10th-graders earned 4 or better compared to 73 percent the year before.

“Overall, I’m very proud and pleased with the gains,” said Sandra “Sam” Himmel, superintendent of schools.

One reason for pride is that more students overall are scoring higher, even though the standard for proficiency has been raised.
From 2005 through 2010, the score proficiency was 3.5; starting this year, the statewide FCAT Writing standard is 4 or higher.
“It is a leap,” said Patrick Simon, the district’s director of research and accountability, “and so schools knew that and put in place curriculum, instruction, programs and methods to reach that bar.”

Simon said that in 2001, the state standard of proficiency on the writing portion of the FCAT was 3 or higher.

He said all traditional schools in the district had more students scoring 4 or higher than they did last year.

Some schools had sharp gains. Simon said the most dramatic district-wide is Inverness Primary School, which went from 51 percent scoring 4 and higher in 2010 compared to 88 percent this year — a 37 percent increase.

Among middle schools, Crystal River Middle School had the sharpest increase, with 95 percent of eighth-graders scoring 4 and higher compared to 83 percent last year.

At the high school level, Crystal River High School and Citrus High School both increased by 4 percent, with 73 percent of CHS 10th-graders scoring 4 and higher and 71 percent at CRHS. Lecanto increased 3 percent, with 85 percent scoring 4 or higher compared to 82 percent last year.

Among elementary schools, at 93 percent, Citrus Springs Elementary School had the highest percentage of students scoring 4 and higher; among middle schools, CRMS had the highest percentage.

Cheri Harris can be reached at (352) 564-2926 or charris@chronicleonline.com.

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