3rd grade students score high on 2010 FCAT

By Carrie A. Mizell

Gilchrist County’s third grade students performed above the state average on the reading and math portions of the 2010 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
According to results released last Thursday by the Florida Department of Education, 81 percent of Bell Elementary School third grade students scored a Level 3-5 on the reading portion of the FCAT, whereas 75 percent of the students at Trenton Elementary School scored a Level 3-5.
These scores, which represented a 77 percent county average, were significantly higher than the state average of 72 percent of third grade students to score a Level 3-5 on the reading portion of the FCAT.
“I am so proud of the 3rd grade at both Bell Elementary and Trenton Elementary School,” said Don Thomas, superintendent. “ Our teachers work hard each and every day to ensure that their students learn. I also want to thank our parents for their efforts to make sure their children are reading at home and for supporting what we are trying to accomplish as part of our curriculum. It takes us all working together to accomplish the history we have established as being a high performing school district.”
In math, 90 percent of Bell Elementary School third grade students scored a Level 3-5 on the math portion of the FCAT, whereas 84 percent of the students at Trenton Elementary School scored a Level 3-5.
Statewide, 78 percent of third grade students scored a Level 3-5 on the math portion of the FCAT.
Upon hearing how well the third grade students at Bell Elementary School performed on this year’s FCAT, principal Sherry Lindsey said, “The success of BES 3rd graders’ test scores is a reflection of the combined efforts of the teachers’ and students’ dedication and hard work. The staff and students at Bell Elementary School are extremely proud of the third grade’s accomplishment.”
Overall, Bell Elementary School students’ scores on the 2010 third grade FCAT exceeded the school’s 2009 scores where, 75 percent of third graders scored a Level 3-5 on the reading portion, and 82 percent of students scored a Level 3-5 on the math portion of the FCAT.
“We are very proud of our teachers and students for their academic success,” said Wendy O’Steen, director of elementary education.