4th and 8th grade FCAT writing scores up
By Carrie A. Mizell
Fourth and eighth grade students in Gilchrist County scored higher in 2009 on the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) than in 2008.
Upon receiving the scores last Thursday, superintendent Don Thomas said that he would like to congratulate the students and teachers who have worked diligently this school year to improve the writing abilities of fourth, eighth and tenth grade students.
“I want to congratulate the entire district on these scores,” Thomas said. “The results we are seeing are not solely from the grade level teachers where the assessment occurs. The results we are seeing are from a district and community commitment that has been made by everyone to ensure that the students of Gilchrist County receive a high quality education.”
Depending on the grade level, students are randomly assigned one or two styles of writing prompts and asked to write an essay response to that prompt. Essays are then scored from 1.0 to 6.0.
Locally, 91 percent of fourth grade students at Bell Elementary School scored a 3.5 or higher, while 83 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher. These scores exceed Bell Elementary School scores from last year, which showed 84 percent of fourth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 76 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher.
Michelle Smith, Bell Elementary School principal, was thrilled with the scores fourth grade students achieved.
“Our fourth grade took the challenge to improve their scores over last year’s scores and proved to be a cohesive team to meet the needs of all students,” Smith said.
At Trenton Elementary School, 88 percent of fourth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher and 77 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher. Trenton Elementary’s 2009 scores are also higher than in 2008, which showed 86 percent of fourth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher and 76 percent of fourth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher.
Once he heard the scores, Trenton Elementary School principal Riley Deen said, “Our teachers strive to instill a sense of excellence in our students’ writing. The students have worked hard to meet their teachers’ high expectations, which have proven to be a recipe for success. I am very proud of our TES students and teachers.”
Statewide, 85 percent of fourth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher.
Eighth grade students also excelled on the writing portion of the FCAT. At Bell Middle-High School 97 percent of eighth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 91 percent of students scored a 4.0 higher. These scores exceed BMHS’ scores from last year, which showed 93 percent of students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 86 percent of eighth grade students scored a 4.0 or higher.
“I couldn’t ask for better scores,” said Rick Reed, principal of Bell Middle-High School. “The teachers did a wonderful job.”
At Trenton Middle-High School 84 percent of eighth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 71 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher. Trenton Middle-High’s 2009 scores are higher than last year’s scores, which showed 81 percent of eighth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher and 67 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher.
Statewide, 90 percent of eighth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher.
Seventy-three percent of tenth grade students at Bell Middle-High School scored a 3.5 or higher, while 56 percent of students scored a 4.0 or higher. Scores are down from 2008 when 81 percent of BMHS tenth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 65 percent scored a 4.0 or higher.
At Trenton Middle-High School 83 percent of tenth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 73 percent scored a 4.0 or higher. These scores were also down from 2008 when 85 percent of TMHS tenth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher, while 76 percent scored a 4.0 or higher.
After receiving the scores, Trenton Middle-High School principal Lynette Langford said, “As always, we are very proud of our students, parents and teachers for their hard work. It takes all three working together to show the growth and improvement we are seeing in our students.”
Statewide, 77 percent of tenth grade students scored a 3.5 or higher.
