East schools perform well on FCAT

Download a chart analysis of East County FCAT scores here.

MANATEE COUNTY — Despite a drastic drop in state test scores countywide, East County schools faired well in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, according to results released by the Florida Department of Education late last week.

Although only 36% of Manatee’s district elementary and middle schools received an A on the test, of 13 elementary and middle schools in the East County, all but three received an A grade.

Myakka Elementary dropped from an A to a B, and Bashaw Elementary dropped from a B to a C. Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch received its first FCAT score — a B.

This year’s high schools scores have not yet been released because of a change in the grading process.
Dr. Ron Hirst, principal at Bashaw, said he is analyzing data from the FCAT results now to see how the school can most improve its performance.

“It’s like watching game films after football games,” he said. “That’s where we are. We’re continuing to upgrade our efforts to (help) our kids.”

Hirst said Bashaw offered a summer camp this year with an emphasis on literacy as a way to improve student performance, regardless of its pending FCAT results. Progress-monitoring at the camp showed students either improved their reading skills or “at worst stayed the same,” Hirst said.

He also noted a high FCAT grade looks great for the school but that he is remaining focused each individual student and making sure he or she performs well.

“We want a year’s growth from each child that’s here,” he said. “The first step is to evaluate the data and see what we need to put an emphasis on.”

Hirst said Bashaw would join other schools district-wide in placing a special emphasis on math this year, as well.

Bashaw has alternated between A and B grades since the 2001/02 school year. Its only other C since the FCAT started was earned for the 2000/01 school year.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

McGonegal challenges FCAT scoring
Manatee Superintendent Tim McGonegal is joining others statewide in challenging the accuracy of this year’s FCAT results.

On Aug. 5, the Florida Association of District Superintendents raised concerns about the authenticity of learning gains in fourth and fifth grades and in matching student scores with demographic profiles, both of which can impact test results.

Manatee’s results this year show a significant decline. For example, 51% of schools received an A on the FCAT, while 76% received an A or B. In 2008, 47% of district schools earned an A and 66% earned an A or B.

Samoset Elementary went from an A last year to a D this year. Rogers Garden Elemenary earned an F. Statewide, 25% fewer schools earned A grades, and one out of three elementary schools dropped a letter grade.

“The Manatee district shares the concern of other superintendents across the state regarding school grades, particularly in the area of learning gains,” district spokesperson Margi Nanney said.

Pearson, the company that scored the FCAT, said it suffered a delay in scoring because of problems with matching scores with demographic profiles.