Click here for the latest edition of the Hartley Headlines March newsletter 7th
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that:
- All 3rd grade students will take the paper-based Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) ELA Reading and Mathematics assessment(s) on March 30th, 31st, April 1 and 4th.
- All 4th grade students will take the paper-based Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) Math assessment on April 1 and 4th. Additionally, 4th grade students will take the FSA ELA Reading test on the computer from April 15th – 20th
- All 5th grade students will take FSA Math on the computer from April 11 – 14th, and they will take the ELA Reading test on the computer from April 21 – 26 as well as the paper based FCAT Science test on May 3rd and 4th.
Your student has had an opportunity to participate in a practice session to become familiar with the item types and response formats he or she will see on the FSA assessments. If you or your student would like to review the materials, paper-based practice tests and answer keys are available at http://www.fsassessments.org/students-and-families/practice-tests/paper-based-practice-test-materials/.
For information regarding test session lengths for all Spring 2016 FSA assessments, please visit the FSA Portal at www.FSAssessments.org, click on the Students and Families icon, and then select Spring 2016 Testing Times.
Please review the following policies with your student before testing:
- Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing OR during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if they are turned off or students do not use them. If your student is found with an electronic device, his or her test will be invalidated.
- Calculators— For Grades 7 and 8 Mathematics, approved calculators may be used during SESSIONS 2 and 3 ONLY. For EOC assessments, approved calculators may be used during SESSION 2 ONLY. If students have handheld calculators during Session 1, their tests will be invalidated.
- Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All FSA tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment printed in the student’s test and answer book that reads, “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by signing below the statement in their test and answer book.
- Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they sign below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states, “Because the content in all statewide assessments is secure, you may not discuss or reveal details about the passages or items after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting online, for example, on websites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.” Please make sure your student understands that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to blogs or social media websites. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.
- Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated. FDOE employs a test security company, Caveon Test Security, to analyze student test results to detect unusually similar answer Student test within a school that are found to have extremely similar answer patterns will have their results invalidated.
- Leaving Campus—If your student begins a test session and leaves campus before completing it (for lunch, an appointment or illness, etc.), he or she WILL NOT be allowed to complete that test session. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.
- Testing Accommodations—If your student has an IEP or Section 504 plan, please contact the school to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Brigid Garbini at 547-8387 or [email protected] For more information about the FSA program, please visit the FSA Portal at www.fsassessments.org.
Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration.
Sincerely,
Joy Taylor