Fessenden Elementary School had to meet the following state grading criteria based on student scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
To Earn an A: In reading and mathematics, 50 percent of students must score on Level 3 or above. Level 1 is the lowest performance level, while 5 is the highest.
In writing, 67 percent of students must score a 3 or above, out of a possible score of 6.
The percentage of students scoring in the lowest reading level(s) must be decreased or maintained within 2 percentage points from the previous year. The school must post more than a 2-percentage-point increase in the percent of students scoring at Level 3 or above. The school should have no substantial decline in math or writing scores.
A school must test at least 95 percent of its students; however, only the scores of students who were enrolled in the same school during both the October and February student counts are used to determine a school’s grade.
To Earn a C: In reading and math, 60 percent of students must score on Level 2 or above, while 50 percent must score a 3 or above in writing. Schools must test at least 90 percent of eligible students. Schools failing to meet the minimum performance criteria in all subjects earn an F.
1998-99
Grade F
4th Grade Reading
- 39 percent scored on Level 3 or above
- 56 percent scored on Level 2 or above
- 61 percent scored on Level 1 or 2
4th Grade Writing
- 37 percent scored a 3 or above
5th Grade Mathematics
- 13 percent scored on Level 3 or above
- 57 percent scored on Level 2 or above
Percent tested: 98
1999-2000
Grade A
4th Grade Reading
- 53 percent scored on Level 3 or above
- 74 percent scored on Level 2 or above
- 47 percent scored on Level 1 or 2
4th Grade Writing
- 71 percent scored a 3 or above
5th Grade Mathematics
- 59 percent scored on Level 3 or above
- 88 percent scored on Level 2 or above
Percent tested: 100 (88 percent eligible for grade)
SOURCE: Marion County Schools and the Florida Department of Education
