Students Show Reading, Math FCAT Progress

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County students continue to show improvement in math, reading and science in nearly every grade level, according to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test results released Tuesday.

Despite the learning gains, though, science remains a struggle for students, with just 40 percent of fifth- and eighth-graders and 38 percent of 11th-graders scoring at or above grade level. Statewide, the averages were 43 percent for fifth grade, 40 percent for eighth grade and 38 percent for 11th grade.

Those are the only grades tested in science.

"We've made some gains, but we know we have a lot more work to do in that area," said Kathy Steiner, the school district's director of curriculum and instructional services.

The math and reading scores released Tuesday were for grades four through 10. Third-grade scores were released about three weeks ago.

Among Pasco students, eighth-graders and 10th-graders showed the most improvement in both math and reading, although the majority of 10th-graders still aren't reading at grade level.

FCAT scores are broken down into five levels. Students must score at level 3 or higher to show proficiency.

In math, 68 percent of eighth-graders scored at or above grade level, up from 61 percent in 2007.

Meanwhile, 70 percent of 10th-graders scored at or above grade level, up from 63 percent last year.

In reading, 54 percent of eighth-graders scored at or above grade level, up from 48 percent in 2007, and 38 percent of 10th-graders scored at or above grade level, up from 32 percent.

The only decline was in fifth-grade reading, with 68 percent scoring at the proficient level compared with 72 percent last year.

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said she was pleased with the district's overall reading gains.

"We have been having a focus on reading in the district," she said.

The district plans to continue that focus because reading is key to success in all academic areas, Fiorentino said.

The low 10th-grade reading scores remain a concern for both Pasco and Florida as a whole. The statewide proficiency level was the same as Pasco's.

Steiner said the poor 10th-grade performance has been a concern for several years and a statewide task force has tried to figure out the reason. One theory is the test is flawed.

The results aren't in line with a norm-referenced test that shows Florida 10th-graders performing well compared to students across the nation.

"Regardless of the reason, we are concerned with that proficiency level and aren't satisfied," Assistant Superintendent Ruth Reilly said.

Fiorentino said the overall improvements in Pasco's scores reflect the hard work of school staff.

"Learning is going on and that's so important in our district," she said.

How Pasco students compared to their peers statewide depends on the grade level and the subject.

Pasco met or exceeded the state average at every grade in reading.

Math was a different story, with every grade except eighth and 10th scoring below the state average.

The largest gap was in fourth grade. Statewide, 71 percent of fourth-graders performed at or above grade level, while just 62 percent of Pasco students accomplished that.