Assessment 1008.25 F.S.
District Assessments for Elementary Students
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students will take the FAST in English Language Arts and math three times per year. In addition, schools may decide to administer other assessments which will be reflected on the individual school assessment calendar. A calendar of district and state assessments is in the appendix.
State Assessments for Elementary Students
Participation in the statewide testing program, which consists of FAST and alternate assessments, is mandatory for all K-12 students attending public schools. The FAST assessment of reading is for students in grades K – 10, writing in grades 4 – 10, and math in grades 3-8. The assessment of science shall be administered in grades 5 and 8. The Florida student assessment program is directly related to curricular content established in the Florida State Academic Standards for Science and B.E.S.T. Standards. Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all students attending public schools. If a student does not participate in the assessment program, the school district must notify the student’s parent/legal guardian and provide the parent/legal guardian with information regarding the implications of such nonparticipation. Students will take the ELA, math, and science assessments in computer-based format. All schools shall offer supplemental learning opportunities. Student eligibility shall be based primarily on below grade-level performance. Each student who does not meet district specific levels of performance for student progression in reading, writing, science, and mathematics for each grade level, or who scores below Level 3 in reading or math shall be provided with additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of the student’s difficulty, the areas of academic need, and strategies for appropriate intervention and instruction.
State Assessments
Participation in the statewide testing program, which consists of FAST and alternate assessments, is mandatory for all K-12 students attending public schools. The FAST assessment of reading is for students in grades K – 10, writing in grades 4 – 10, and math in grades 3-8. The assessment of science shall be administered in grades 5 and 8.
The Florida student assessment program is directly related to curricular content established in the Florida State Academic Standards for Science and B.E.S.T. Standards.
Participation in the assessment program is mandatory for all students attending public schools. If a student does not participate in the assessment program, the school district must notify the student’s parent/legal guardian and provide the parent/legal guardian with information regarding the implications of such nonparticipation.
Students will take the ELA, math, and science assessments in computer-based format.
All schools shall offer supplemental learning opportunities. Student eligibility shall be based primarily on below grade-level performance. Each student who does not meet district specific levels of performance for student progression in reading, writing, science, and mathematics for each grade level, or who scores below Level 3 in reading or math shall be provided with additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of the student’s difficulty, the areas of academic need, and strategies for appropriate intervention and instruction.
FAST and Promotion and Retention
The FAST is not the sole determiner of promotion or retention. The only exception is mandatory retention in grade 3 for students scoring Level 1 on the FAST ELA assessment. Additional evaluations, portfolio review, and assessments portfolio are available to assist the parent/legal guardian, schools, and the district in determining when a student is achieving at or above grade level and is ready for promotion.
Assessment of Reading Ability of K-3 Students 1002.20 F.S.
Each elementary school shall regularly assess the reading ability of each K-3 student. If any K-3 student exhibits a reading deficiency, as defined by performing below grade level, the parent/legal guardian shall be notified of the student’s deficiency with a description and explanation of the exact nature of the student’s difficulty in learning. The parent/legal guardian shall be consulted in the development of a progress monitoring plan and shall be informed that the student will be provided intensive reading instruction until the deficiency is corrected.
Data must be used to identify students in need of intervention and support in the following priority:
- Students in kindergarten through grade 3 who have a substantial deficiency in reading by the end of grade 3.
- Students who fail to meet performance levels required for promotion consistent with student progression.
A student who has a substantial reading deficiency must be covered by an individual education plan or an individualized progress monitoring plan, or both, as necessary.
Assessment of English Language Learners (ELL)
In general, all ELL students with a code of “LY” participate in statewide assessments. As part of the ESSA legislation, all ELL students shall be assessed annually in reading, writing, listening, and speaking using ACCESS for ELLs. However, Per FL Rule 6A-6.09091 accommodations must be provided on all Statewide Assessments.
Assessment Opportunities for Home Education Students
Opportunities to take state assessments (FAST reading, writing, math, and science) and standardized achievement tests (Stanford Achievement) are available to home education students. Arrangements can be made through the district’s Guidance and Choice or Planning, Accountability and Assessment offices.
Assessment Opportunities for Private School Students
Private school students are not eligible for state and district level standardized assessments through the St. Johns County School District.
Assessment of New Students
Students transferring into the district once the school year has begun, especially students in grade 3, shall be assessed in reading and math to determine reading and math proficiency and to ensure proper course and remedial instruction placement.