The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is the foundation of the statewide educational assessment and accountability program. The FCAT program includes assessments in the following areas:

• Writing for students in grades 4, 8, and 10
• Reading and mathematics for students in grades 3 through 10
• Science for students in grades 5, 8, and 10

The purpose of the statewide assessments is to gather information of two kinds:

• Parents, students, and teachers need FCAT data to provide information about student mastery of skills.
• The public needs FCAT data to understand the “educational health” of students and to hold schools and districts accountable for progress.

The FCAT measures student knowledge and understanding of reading, writing, science, and mathematics content as described in the Sunshine State Standards. There is a direct connection between the Sunshine State Standards and the questions on the FCAT.

The Standards are skills and competencies that Florida students should be able to learn from an early age, as defined by practicing classroom teachers, educational specialists, business people, and concerned citizens from Florida.

• FCAT writing in February.
• FCAT reading, mathematics, and science in March.

Ask a teacher, principal, or guidance counselor for the exact testing dates.

Teachers should prepare students for success on the FCAT by teaching the important content in the Sunshine State Standards. Students may also benefit from the free, easy-to-use teaching resource, FCAT Explorer (www.fcatexplorer.com), offered via the Internet by the Florida Department of Education or review of the FCAT

Sample Test booklets at http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat.htm