Testing:
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 (FCAT 2.0)- The FCAT 2.0 measures student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The transition from the FCAT to the FCAT 2.0 will be phased in, with 2011 FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics being the first assessments to begin this transition. FCAT 2.0 Science will be administered to students for the first time in the spring of 2012, and the writing assessment will continue to be administered through 2014. New Achievement Levels for FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics were approved in 2011 through a standard-setting process. This process will be followed again for FCAT 2.0 Science in the fall of 2012. (Your child will not be taking the FCAT until 3rd grade, but we will be doing prepatory work to make your child familar with the FCAT questions and begin to prepare them for the test. You can visit the Florida Department of Education website to learn more information about the FCAT http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/)
Curriculum:
Florida Statute, 1003.42, provides for required courses and instruction to ensure that students meet State Board of Education adopted standards. Most specifically, members of the instructional staff of the public schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for professionalism and historic accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction.
State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.09412 Course Requirements - Grades K-12 Basic and Adult Secondary Programs reads: A course description directs district personnel by providing the essential content and course requirements for each course in grades K-12 contained in the "Course Code Directory and Instructional Personnel Assignments" adopted by Rule 6A-1.09441, F.A.C. Course requirements approved by the State Board of Education and are (available) online.
Course descriptions (requirements) define content standards for all subject area and grades K-12. For additional information, please contact any subject area specialist within the Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction.
http://www.fldoe.org/bii/