The FSA ELA What Every Parent Should Know

The FSA ELA: What Every Parent Should Know John I. Smith K-8 Center Prepared by the Language Arts Department

What is the FSA? The Florida Standards Assessments support instruction and student learning, and test results help Florida’s educational leadership and stakeholders determine whether the goals of the education system are being met.

Why Florida Standards Matter • The goal is to ensure Florida’s students graduate high school ready for success in college, career and life. In order to prepare our students for success and make them competitive in the global workplace, we must provide them with a set of clear, consistent and strong academic standards.

What is Important about the Florida ELA Standards Assessments? • Assesses the higher expectations of the Florida Standards • Provides a basis for comparing Florida performance to that of other states • Emphasizes analytical thinking • Provides a more authentic assessment through a variety of item formats • Increased complexity of texts • Critical reading and writing infused across all curricular areas

http: //www. fsassessments. org/ • We strongly encourage parents and students to access the Writing and Reading sample practice tests provided by the state.

Computer-based and paper-based practice tests, as well as paper-based test items practice handouts, for each assessment, are available on the FSA Portal > Students & Families > Practice Tests. Students are required to participate in a practice session at school prior to testing. • Please make sure your 7 th and 8 th grade students practice TYPING at home!

Florida Standards Assessment Test Design English Language Arts/Literacy Text-based Writing 6 th Grade Paper-based 7 th and 8 th Grades Online

Editing Task Items

Text with a Series of Questions

Audio Multiple-Choice Item

Multi-Select Items

Two-Part Items

Florida Standards Assessment Format • Paper-based accommodated exams will consist of multiple-choice, multiselect, and gridded-response questions. • Computer-based exams will consist of multiple- choice, multiselect, and technologyenhanced questions (using online tools and manipulatives). 14

FSA ELA – Writing Component ONLY Grade Number of Items Number of Sessions Number of Days Administration TOTAL Testing Mode/Test Time** Materials* 6 1 prompt 1 1 PBT 120 minutes 7 1 prompt 1 1 CBT 120 minutes 8 1 prompt 1 1 CBT 120 minutes *All students (PBT and CBT) receive a planning sheet. 15

FSA ELA Reading Component Grade Number of Items Number of of Days Sessions Administration TOTAL Testing Mode in 2016/ Test Time Materials 6 58– 62 2 2 PBT with worksheet 170 minutes 7 58– 62 2 2 CBT with worksheet 170 minutes 8 58– 62 2 2 CBT with worksheet 170 minutes 30

2019 FSA John I. Smith K-8 Middle School Timeline FSA ELA Writing component Grades 6 - Paper based test - April Grade 7 th & 8 th - Computer based test - April FSA ELA Reading component Grades 6 - Paper based test – May Grades 7 and 8 – Computer based test – May Grades 6, 7, and 8 – PBT and extended time – May

Informational Resources CPALMS http: //www. cpalms. org/Public/ FLDOE Assessment Website http: //www. fldoe. org/asp/ FSA Portal http: //www. fsassessments. org/ Typing Practice http: //typingweb. com