fcat explorer. math station: elementary mathematics from the florida department of education ...

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer

Math Station: Elementary Mathematics

From the Florida Department of Education

www.fcatexplorer.com

Program Overview

FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands & benchmarks

Reinforces math problem-solving skills

Available at no cost to all Florida public schools

Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet

Interactive practice program


FCAT Explorer

Fidelity with the Official FCAT 2.0

Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications

Rigorous item development process Items drafted by math

teachers and professional item writers

Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors


GR item in Geometry & Measurement

FCAT Explorer

Input from Exemplary Education Professionals

Highly-qualified classroom teachers

Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level

National Board CertifiedRecipients of Teacher of

the Year awards Experienced as FCAT

Coach and/or Reading Coach

Masters Degrees


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

FCAT-like practice on all tested areas & benchmarks

AlgebraGeometryStatistics

MC item in Algebra

158 FCAT-like practice items:

127 Multiple Choice (MC)

15 Gridded Response (GR)

18 Short Response (SR)


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Same style, format, scope & cognitive level as on the FCAT

Reviewed by teachers for interest & difficulty

Number of items per benchmark based on teacher recommendation Difficulty of

benchmark

Difficulty for “struggling” students

MC item in Algebra


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice

Topics drawn from other subject area standards Science

Social Studies

The Arts

Health Education

Physical Education

Science topic: whale migration

Social Studies topic: Seminole Indian houses

Motivating graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both

Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context


FCAT Explorer

Instructional Support


FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPT

CORRECT

Learning Guidance

Congratulations!

Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)Confirms the

elements that make an answer correct

Reinforces effective skill application

CAE’s are carefully worded to convey “more than one way” to solve most problems


FCAT Explorer

1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT

Learning Guidance

Hints for Success to clarify the question without giving away the answer

“Common error” feedback written specifically to correct common mistakes

Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly

Click MORE HINTS to see additional Hints for Success


FCAT Explorer

2nd ATTEMPT

For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application

For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:

Learning Guidance

Identifies correct answer

Helps student solve similar problems in the future

CAE’s are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems


FCAT Explorer

Practice Items


FCAT Explorer

FCAT-like Practice Items

Same formatting details as on the FCAT

Same notation conventions as on the FCAT

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Science topic in Algebra


FCAT Explorer

Students make calculations on paper as needed

Type numbers into the grid and bubbles fill in automatically

Many items reinforce correct decimal placement

GRIDDED-RESPONSE

Natural sciences topic in Algebra



FCAT Explorer

Short-response items: Compare two responses & select the high score

Simulation strategies recommended by teachers

Based on classroom instructional practices

Requires student to compare or assess critical attributes

SHORT-RESPONSE



Short Response item in Geometry

FCAT Explorer

Special Features


FCAT Explorer

ENGAGING INTERFACE

Motivational Feature

Student chooses freely among 3 Explorations

Within each Exploration, student chooses among 3 Themes

Within each Theme, student selects a “Trip”

Sense of exploration engages curiosity

Student control increases motivation

Illustration changes to reflect the chosen Exploration


FCAT Explorer


DETAILED ILLUSTRATIONS

MC in Algebra

Reinforce important concepts and information

Help pique curiosity

Help maintain attention & endurance

Help students perceive math as interesting & relevant


FCAT Explorer


INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES

Five Benchmarks-based instructional games

Each game reinforces one critical skill

Corrective feedback

Timed

Opportunity to compete for the highest score

Fast, colorful, & fun!


FCAT Explorer

Special Learning Feature

Links directly to items answered incorrectly

Helps students focus on skill improvement

Displays corresponding strand

Requires a 24-hour delay to promote skill application, not “copying” the correct answer

CHALLENGE LIST


FCAT Explorer Math Station: Elementary Mathematics

Educators’ Tools

FCAT Explorer

Educators’ Tools

Classroom Teacher’s Desk

District Administrator’s Desk

School Administrator’s Desk

Curriculum resources

Skills Location Map

Table of Benchmarks and Skills

Item Review

Letter to Parents

Information management tools

Sign-in names and passwords

Progress Reports

Messages to students


FCAT Explorer

Check progress on individuals or classes

View math data by Theme or Body of Knowledge

Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support

Student Performance Reports


At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk

FCAT Explorer

The Parent & Family Guide

Accessible from the home page without a password

Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole

Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0


FCAT Explorer Math Station: Elementary Mathematics

Linked from the home page

Download this PowerPoint presentation

Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual

Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual

Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations

Download other presentations

Visit the Educator Resources Page

FCAT Explorer

Toll-Free Help Desk

Accessible from the home page without a password

1-888-750-FCAT

(1-888-750-3228)

Weekdays

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


FCAT Explorer

To get sign-in names & passwords


School Principals:

Contact your District

Office and speak to the

“District Administrator”

for the FCAT Explorer

Teachers:

Contact your “School

Administrator” for the

FCAT Explorer

FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com)

FCAT Explorer

Log on to the FCAT Explorer!

www.fcatexplorer.com


fcat explorer. math station: elementary mathematics from the florida department of education ...

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