"The FCAT is a black box (that) produces numbers that have been massaged by politicians to get desired outcomes."

From the TCPalm, by Kelly Tyko

When the state released third-graders' 2012 FCAT scores Thursday, it also released a second set of numbers — revised 2011 test scores.

The new recalculated Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores allow parents and teachers to better gauge student performance from last year to this year, education leaders said. But it's a move some critics call "political manipulation" to mitigate the damage to schools.

"The problem is there is no way for the public to tell," said Robert Schaeffer, public education director for FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing in Massachusetts. "The FCAT is a black box (that) produces numbers that have been massaged by politicians to get desired outcomes."

Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson said the 2011 scores were converted to the new FCAT 2.0 scale because it was the only way to make a fair year-to-year comparison.

Students last year took the FCAT 2.0 for the first time instead of the "FCAT Classic," but 2011 scores then were computed according to a previous grading scale. About 72 percent scored at grade level on reading and 78 percent at grade level for math.

"It's no way a manipulation of the figures, it's an adjustment on how we grade FCAT," Robinson said Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "As we've raised the standards, as we've raised the achievement level scores numerically, we've had reactor panels respond to that. It's not a manipulation but definitely a push for a new accountability system."

The FCAT is a high-stakes test for third-grade students, who must pass the reading part or risk being retained. A score of two on a one-to-five scale is considered passing and a score of three is at grade level.

When last year's third grade scores were "retrofitted" on the new scoring system, there was little change from 2011 to 2012. The rescored 2011 tests using the new grading system show 57 percent at grade level in reading and 56 percent for math.

Thursday's statewide results were nearly the same with 56 percent for reading and 58 percent for math.

In December 2011, the state adopted new cut scores for the first time in a decade. The change was needed this year because FCAT's math and reading exams were revised to meet more rigorous academic standards.

School grades, based largely on student performance on the FCAT, are expected to drop this year since it's the first year students and schools will be assessed on the basis of tougher tests and scoring systems. That's expected to result in more students failing the FCAT and lower school grades.

Along with measuring student performance in core academic areas, FCAT results are used for school and district ratings, some teacher merit pay plans, and school financial rewards. Starting with this year's test, teachers jobs partly hinge on how their students perform on the state-mandated exam.

St. Lucie Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon said he believes Florida students are tested too much and for the wrong reasons. He feels the test has lost credibility and the state is doing damage control.

"The actions of both the State Board of Education and the commissioner, seeking to mitigate the results, are the only course of action open to them since they did not plan and test the design of the change without inflicting irreparable harm to children and ultimately teachers and communities," Lannon said Friday.

Indian River County Schools Superintendent Fran Adams explained many of the FCAT and school grade changes to parents in a letter.

"It is important for parents to understand that FCAT 2.0 is a harder test, with increased expectations across all grade levels," Adams wrote. "While everyone agrees that increased accountability and high academic standards are certainly in the best interest of our students, the reality of these changes in terms of real-life consequences for students and schools needs to be recognized and understood."

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/may/25/fcat-recalculations-manipulate-results-for-say/