fcat explorer. from the florida department of education math navigator: 8 th grade benchmarks...

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com

Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks

Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks

Interactive program offers practice on the FCAT-tested benchmarks

Reinforces math problem-solving skills

Available at no cost to all Florida public schools

Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics

FCAT Explorer

Fidelity with the Official FCAT

Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications

Rigorous item development process

Items drafted by math teachers and professional item writers

Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors


FCAT Explorer

Input from Exemplary Education Professionals

Highly-qualified classroom teachers

Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level

National Board CertifiedRecipients of Teacher of

the Year awards Experienced as FCAT

Coach and/or Reading Coach

Masters Degrees


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

FCAT-like practice on all 5 tested strands Algebra Geometry Statistics

FCAT-like practice on all tested benchmarks

146 FCAT-like practice items: 104 Multiple Choice (MC)

30 Gridded-Response (GR)

12 Short-Response (SR)


Multiple-choice question

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Same style, format, scope & cognitive level as on the FCAT

Reviewed by teachers for interest & difficulty

Number of items per benchmark based on teacher recommendation: Difficulty of

benchmark

Difficulty for “struggling” students


Gridded-response question

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Item topics drawn from other subject area standards Science

Social Studies

The Arts

Health Education

Physical Education

Social Studies topic: AlgebraMotivating graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both

Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context


FCAT Explorer

Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Same formatting details as used for test items on the FCAT 2.0

Same mathematical notation conventions as used on the FCAT 2.0

When possible, incorrect answer choices represent “common errors”

MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEM EXAMPLES

Example from Algebra


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Students make calculations on paper, as needed

Type number, slash, or decimal point into the grid and bubble fills in automatically

Fractions not accepted until reduced to simplest form

Program demonstrates how to fill in corresponding bubbles correctly

GRIDDED-RESPONSE ITEM EXAMPLES


Example from Geometry

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice


Short-response items: Compare two responses & select the high score

Simulation strategies recommended by teachers

Based on classroom instructional practices

Requires student to compare or assess critical attributes

SHORT-RESPONSE

FCAT Explorer

Instructional Support


FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPTCORRECT

Congratulations!

Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)

Confirms the elements that make an answer correct

Reinforces effective skill application

CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems



FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

Hints for Success to clarify the question without giving away the answer

“Common error” feedback written specifically to correct common mistakes

Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly

Click MORE HINTS to

see additional

Hints for Success



FCAT Explorer

2nd ATTEMPT

For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application

For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:

Identifies correct answer

Helps student solve similar problems in the future

CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems



FCAT Explorer

Special Features


FCAT Explorer

GLOSSARY

Click “ear” icon to hear word pronounced

Spelling

Definition

Illustration, as appropriate

Math terms & formulas included

Math teachers selected the words and reviewed the definitions

Helpful Tools


FCAT Explorer

Helpful Tools

Reference Sheet

Online formula

reference sheet with

same content as on

the FCAT 2.0

Online calculator

with same functions

as on the FCAT 2.0

Calculator

REFERENCE SHEET & CALCULATOR


FCAT Explorer

Links directly to items answered incorrectly

Helps students focus on skill improvement

Displays corresponding strand

Requires a 24-hour delay to ensure skill application, not “copying” the correct answer

CHALLENGE LIST

Strand

Special Features


FCAT Explorer

ENGAGING INTERFACE

Motivational Feature

Student chooses freely among 3 Explorations

Within each Exploration, student chooses among 3 Themes

Within each Theme, student selects a “Trip”

Sense of exploration engages curiosity

Student control increases motivation

3 Explorations

3 Themes per Exploration

3 Trips per Theme, containing 5-10 items per Trip


FCAT Explorer

Motivational Feature

DETAILED ILLUSTRATIONS

Reinforce important concepts and information

Help pique curiosity

Help maintain attention & endurance

Help students perceive math as interesting & relevant


FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools


FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools

Classroom Teacher’s Desk

District Administrator’s Desk

School Administrator’s Desk

Curriculum resources

Item Review provides a printable version of all Math Navigator items

Letter to Parents

Information

management tools

Sign-in names and passwords

Progress Reports

Messages to students


FCAT Explorer

Check progress on individuals or classes

View math data by Theme or Body of Knowledge

Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support

Student Performance Reports

At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk


FCAT Explorer

The Parent & Family Guide

Accessible from the home page without a password

Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole

Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0

Provides Everyday Activities to help parents reinforce Benchmarks and Skills


FCAT Explorer

Linked from the home page

Download this PowerPoint presentation

Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual

Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual

Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations

Download other PowerPoints

Visit the Educator Resources Page


FCAT Explorer

Toll-Free Help Desk

Accessible from the home page without a password

1-888-750-FCAT

1-888-750-3228

Weekdays

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


FCAT Explorer

School Principals:

Contact your District

Office and speak to the

“District Administrator”

for the FCAT Explorer

Teachers:

Contact your “School

Administrator” for the

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)

To get sign-in names & passwords


FCAT Explorer

Log on to the FCAT Explorer!

www.fcatexplorer.com


fcat explorer. from the florida department of education math navigator: 8 th grade benchmarks...

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