BRIEF OVERVIEW

1. Florida Department of Education’s FCAT Explorer BRIEF OVERVIEW

2. FCAT Explorer Incorporates interactive, benchmarks-based practice programs Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet Enrolls students automatically Includes Educator Resources and a Parent & Family Guide

3. Access to all programs • A student’s sign-in name & password provides access to all programs • Struggling students can experience success in easier programs and work their way up

4. Practice Programs

5. MATH PROGRAMS • READING PROGRAMS Math Station: 5th Grade Benchmarks Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks Math Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks Reading Island: 6th Grade Benchmarks Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks

6. Reading and Math Practice • Developed with strict adherence to the Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications • Practice items provide explicit reinforcement of the FCAT-tested benchmarks Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks

7. Reading and Math Practice • Designed with the help of teachers and testing specialists • Illustrated with graphics that illuminate math concepts and reading content • Set in the context of other subject areas from the Sunshine State Standards Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks

8. Special Features GLOSSARY Math Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks • Linked (blue) words • “Ear icon” to hear word pronounced • Spanish and Haitian Creole translations CHALLENGE LIST • Links directly to incorrect items • Helps students focus on skill improvement Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks

9. Reading Practice PASSAGES • Same average length and readability level as on the FCAT • Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest • Some programs feature an “Explore More” reference section to practice using multiple resources From The River Snake in Reading Island: 6th Grade Benchmarks

10. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks • Adaptive support model adjusts passage and instructional support level • Vocabulary exercises and activities teach potentially challenging words • 3rd grade readability level:36 reading passages & 230 multiple-choice items • 2nd grade readability level:36 reading passages & 227 multiple-choice items

11. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Odyssey: 4th Grade Benchmarks • Imaginative adventure context • Motivational instructional games reinforce vocabulary and comprehension skills • 45 reading passages • 248 multiple-choice, short-response items, and open- response items

12. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Island: 6th Grade Benchmarks • Practice Power exercises reinforce reading skills • Motivational instructional game reinforces vocabulary and comprehension skills • 27 reading passages • 254 multiple-choice, short-response, and open-response items

13. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks • Practiceexercises reinforce reading skills • Passage topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music • 60 reading passages • 694 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, open-response, and main idea application items

14. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Reading Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks • Includes a pre-test and post-test • Features 8 remedial reading comprehension lessons • 23 reading passages • 250 multiple-choice, short-, extended-, and open-response items

15. Math Practice • Reviewed by teachers for readability level, age-appropriate content, and student interest • Item topics drawn from other subject areas in the Sunshine State Standards • Science • Social Studies • The Arts • Health Education • Physical Education Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks

16. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Math Station: 5th Grade Benchmarks • Motivational instructional games reinforce math skills • Item topics drawn from areas of health, sports, history, and geography • 156 multiple-choice, gridded-response, and charted-response items

17. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks • Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT • Item topics drawn from areas of science, history, health, art, and music • 139 multiple-choice and gridded-response items

18. FCAT Explorer Reading Programs Math Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks • Includes a calculator and reference sheet with same functions and content as on FCAT • Timeline-themed navigation places items in a variety of historical periods • 144 multiple-choice and gridded-response items

19. Instructional Support

20. Instructional Support • 1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT • Congratulations! • Correct answer explanation (CAE) • Confirms the attributes that make an answer correct • Reinforces effective skill application Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks

21. Instructional Support • 1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT Reading Island: 6th Grade Benchmarks • Feedback & tools help student figure out correct answer • Highlighting, hints and Skill Reviewer features help students review question and find the correct answer • “Common error” feed- back in math programs offers suggestions for how to think about the problem • Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks

22. Instructional Support • 2nd ATTEMPT Reading Boardwalk: 8th Grade Benchmarks • For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces effective skill application • For INCORRECT answer, CAE coaches student in figuring out right answer to similar questions in the future Math Timeline: 10th Grade Benchmarks

23. Educators’ Tools

24. Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features • Create and/or edit class roll • Review progress reports on individuals or classes • Resource Center • Skills location map • Table of benchmarks & skills • Item review • Letter to parents • View instructional games & modify token rates • Send messages to students

25. Classroom Teacher’s Desk Features Student Performance Reports • Check progress on individuals or classes • View math data by theme, strand, or benchmark • View reading data by benchmark, skill, or passage • Compare percentage correct before and after learning guidance

26. School Administrator’s Desk Features • Access teacher and student password lists (available in text and spreadsheet formats) • Review, add, and edit student information • Review, add, and edit information about teachers & classes • Create school or class reports • Get started with Quick Start Guides

27. District Administrator’s Desk Features • Create new schools • Review school, teacher, and class information • Review monthly reports on student performance by district or school • Create or edit a web page for the Parent & Family Guide • Get started with Quick Start Guides

28. 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 Sunshine State Standardsand the FCAT • Provides Everyday Activities to reinforce benchmarks and skills

29. Educator Resources Page • Linked From the Home Page • Download this Power Point presentation • Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual • Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual • Download other Power Points • Reading Focus Overview • Math Focus Overview • Program-specific presentations

30. To get sign-in names & passwords SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Contact your district office and speak to the FCAT Explorer district administrator TEACHERSContact your FCAT Explorerschool administrator FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)

31. www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to the FCAT Explorer!