State releases FCAT writing results

Manatee County Public Schools students show mostly gains in writing, according to the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Writing Plus results released by the Florida Department of Education Thursday.

The FCAT Writing Plus is scored on a range of 1-6, with 6 being the top level of achievement. A score of 3.5 is the state of Florida’s designated level of proficiency.

In expository writing, 82% of Manatee fourth-graders scored 3.5 or above, a 7% increase over 2008. In narrative writing, 76% scored 3.5 or higher, 12% higher than 2008. In addition, 26 district elementary schools increased their combined writing results this year over the 2008 results.

Eighty-eight percent of Manatee eighth-graders scored at 3.5 or above in expository writing, a 4% increase from 2008. In persuasive writing, 85% of scored 3.5 or better, a 1% decrease from 2008.

Seventy percent of Manatee 10th-graders scored 3.5 or above in persuasive writing, a 4% decrease from 2008. 

To view the results, visit the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Web site.