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County FCAT Scores Improve

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

TAMPA - Science scores climbed at most schools this year, which could be good news when it comes to school grades.

The state released test results Tuesday for the reading, math and science portions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Students in grades 3 through 11 take the FCAT, which also includes writing, although not all grades take every subject.

Hillsborough County public schools increased average scores in almost every grade and subject, with three schools bringing in some of the top scores in the state.

Fourth-graders at McKitrick Elementary scored so high in reading and math that they were among the top 10 scores in the state. Bevis Elementary and Terrace Community charter school were the only other Hillsborough schools to achieve those honors.

Bevis did so in fourth-grade reading and fifth-grade reading, math and science. Terrace children got into the elite group for eighth-grade science.

The FCAT also includes writing, and those results were released last month.

Science, meanwhile, is a relatively new addition to the FCAT. Last year was the first time the state factored science scores into the grades it assigns schools. The state tests students in fifth, eighth and 11th grade on science, and Hillsborough County brought its average score up in each category.

The state has not yet calculated school grades, which can bring bonus money to schools that keep or achieve an A or bring up their grade from the previous year.

Even schools that consistently score high on average worry about their grades. Schwarzkopf Elementary has received straight A's since the 2001-02 school year. But retiring assistant principal Lois Mautte said the staff has to remember that each year is different and what works for one class may not suit another as well.

"We just always need to remember that there is room for improvement," Mautte said. "We always need to sharpen our skills every year, because children learn in different ways."
Schwarzkopf encourages specialization and matches its teachers to their strongest subjects. Teachers with exceptional skills in math and science teach those courses to grades 3, 4 and 5, and those who excel at language arts focus on that topic.

All classes emphasize hands-on activities, Mautte said, so students can learn by doing. The elementary extended that to after-school hours this year by offering several voluntary enrichment classes for all ages, including Spanish, dramatic arts, sports, African drumming and "cooking with math."

During the first semester, students also could sign up for "Science Wizardry," an all-age class heavy on experiments with no grades.

"They were able to learn science in a stress-free, interactive manner," Mautte said.

Although it was not part of the normal school day, Mautte said it would have benefited children in the classroom by boosting their motivation to learn science.

Parents will be able to review their children's scores online using a secure login and password the school provided. The state has set up the FCAT Parent Network at www.fcatparentnetwork .com. Families also will be able to pick up printed copies of the scores at their schools.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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