Caitlin Snider

7 July 2016
EDF 4430
Professor Cain
Critical Task 5
Interpreting and Communicating About Standardized Assessments and
Achievement
Dear Parents or Guardians of Kenneth,
I am writing to inform you about the scores on Kenneths FCAT this year. His
overall score (raw score) is 2140. This score is above the grade level score of 1972. This
score lands Kenneth on the performance level of three. According to the confidence band,
if Kenneth were to take this exact test again he would likely score between 2064 and
2216. This means that Kenneths confidence band is 76.
Over the years Kenneths scores have generally improved. In the 6th grade
Kenneth scored a 1848 (3). In seventh grade Kenneth received a 2101 (4) and 2214 (4) in
eighth grade. This year Kenneth received a score of 2140, which is a 3. A score of three
indicated potential success with content on the FCAT. While Kenneths scores were
increasing over time his score did drop this year. Kenneth is still above grade level at this
point, but he does have the potential for his scores to decrees over the next few years
without additional practice outside of school.
There were four content areas Kenneth was tested on. In Words and Phrases
Kenneth scored a 6 out of 8 (75%). In Main Idea, Plot, and Purpose Kenneth scored a 13
out of 17 (76%). In Comparison and Cause/Effect he scored an 8 out of 9 (88%). Finally,

in References and Research Kenneth scored a 10 out of 11 (90%). This shows that
Kenneth is strong in references and researching along with comparison and cause/effect.
These are the areas were he only got one answer wrong. The two arrears that Kenneth
needs a little more help in is words, phrases, main idea, plot, and purpose.
Based off of Kenneths scores I would address the section words and phrases first,
as it seems to be the area he struggles in the most. There are many activities that can help
him in this area starting with vocabulary activities. Some activities that I would introduce
to Kenneth is a word wall, vocabulary cartoons, essential prefix chart, vocabulary frames,
word sorting, crossword puzzles, and so many more things. The next area that Kenneth
struggles with is main idea, plot, and purpose. To improve these skills I would have
Kenneth fill in graphic organizers so that he can separate these ideas when reflecting on a
story. This will help him to comprehend what he is learning about and to differentiate the
three things.
Sincerely,
Ms. Snider

Dear Parents or Guardians of Salma,

I am writing to inform you about Salmas FCAT test scores this year in reading
and math. Salma had an overall score (raw score) of 721 in Reading Comprehension and
704 in Mathematics Problem Solving. Salma scored in the in 98th percentile for Reading
and the 96th percentile in Math. This means that she has scored equal to or above 98% of
the students in the national sample for reading. The same goes for Math with her scoring
equal to or above 96% of the students in the national sample. In the percentile bands area
Salma scores between 90 and 99 for Reading and 90-97 for Math. Salma also scored a 9
in Stanie for Reading and a 9 in Math.
Salma has many strengths in Reading Comprehension. Overall in reading she
scored a 94%. The reading section was broken up into seven parts with the first one being
Literary, which Salma got 17 out of 18 correct (94%). Informational was next in which
Salma got 17 out of 18 correct (94%). In the Functional section Salma got a score of 17
out of 18 as well (94%). In Initial Understanding she received an 11 out of 12 (91%).
Interpretation was the next section in which she scored a 19 out of 20 (95%). Critical
Analysis Salma scored an 11 out of 12 (91%) and in Strategies she scored a 10 out of 10
(100%).
It is evident from the information above that Salma has extremely strong reading
skills as she missed only one point in each section except for the Strategies section. To
challenge Selma more I would place her in the enrichment group, which will not only
support, but also challenge her to new levels of reading so she grows even more.
Salmas overall score in Mathematics Problem Solving is a 45 out of 48 (93%).
The math section was broken down into smaller sections than the reading. There are a

total of five sections that Salma was assessed on. In Number Sense she scored a 12 out of
12 (100%) and in Operations Salma scored a 12 out of 11 (91%). For Patterns,
Relationships, and Algebra Salma scored a 6 out of 6 (100%). For the Data, Statistics,
and Probability section Salma scored a 6 out of 8 (75%). The last thing Salma was tested
on was Geometry and Measurements and she scored a 10 out of 10 (100%).
It is clear to see that Salma excels in math as well, but does need some help with
data, statistics, and probability. To further these skills I would recommend that she
applies data, statistics, and probability to everyday life and that will help her become
more interested to learn about it. To further her skills in the other areas I would
recommend an enrichment group that will challenge her math skills even further.
Sincerely,
Ms. Snider