About 680 Collier County students could be retained in third grade based on FCAT reading scores released Thursday. Overall, Collier third-graders performed below the state average.
Fifty-three percent of Collier third graders received a proficient or satisfactory score — a level three or higher out of a five level scale — on the state test. Statewide, 56 percent of third grade students received a three or higher.
To be promoted to the fourth grade, students must earn a level two or higher. Last year, around 17 percent of students failed — earning a level one — compared to 20 percent this year.
“Obviously you can see with reading we’re down,” Collier Superintendent Kamela Patton said. “Still, we’re happy given the new cuts scores.”
This year, the state increased the standards on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test by raising the score students need to be proficient.
Students who score a level one can attend additional summer programs and be reassessed to move onto the fourth grade. Patton said last year about 630 students scored a level one.
This year’s data also includes all scores from students with disabilities and scores from students at least in their second year of learning English. In the past, these students’ scores were not included in the overall district scores.
“We’re sitting her with the fourth largest number of (English language learners) kids of counties in the state,” Patton said. “Really we’re doing quite well that we’re almost at the state’s average.”
State Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson said the majority of students scoring at a level one are minorities and English language learners.
“It’s not a big shock to a lot of people,” he said. “We need to make sure we target resources to try to assist that population.”
On a school-by-school comparison using re-scaled 2011 data that follows the new, higher standards, Patton said around half of Collier elementary schools improved their performance compared to last year.
She said the district still expects to have eight F schools and seven D schools because of the raised standards and more inclusive grading system. The state should release school grades in late June.
Lee County third-graders performed better than the state-average with 59 percent of students scoring a level three or higher.
The state also released third grade FCAT math scores with a state average of 58 percent of students scoring proficient. Lee students outperformed the state with 63 percent scoring a three or above.
Collier students scored below the state average with 55 percent of students scoring proficient.
“I am encouraged with the results released today, especially given the changes to how the FCAT is now scored,” said Lee Schools Superintendent Joseph Burke. “In reading and math we outperformed the state by a clear margin.”
The state also released scores for the new biology and geometry end of course exams that was given for the first time this year. Both Collier and Lee students performed close to the state average.
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Comments » 50
Vapur9 writes:
55% is abysmal ... but at least they did better? Way to minimize a problem to pat yourself on the back.
FLBelle writes:
This article pretty much sums up why we're homeschooling.
Therealist writes:
I'd live in the cold, miserable north to send my kid to a good school before I'd ever enroll them in a CCPS.
Niki_6 writes:
BFD. Hold them back. Passing them without the knowledge behind it isn't going to do anyone any good. Maybe if they are held back, the parents will wake up and start parenting them properly, which includes picking up where the schools leave off in relation to the child's education.
Native writes:
Robinson said it's not a surprise that a majority of the students scoring at a level one are minorities and English language learners.
YA think?????
When I started school, if you couldn't speak English, know your colors, count and at least write your name YOU DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL, YOU WEREN'T READY. Why is it different today? It is NOT our responsibility to teach English in the schools here, it is our language. Learn it or leave.
Call me racist if you like, but tell me, will Mexico, Peru, Columbia or any of those places let me in their schools not knowing the language?
I THINK NOT.
cozyboy writes:
truly sad, just more dumbing down of what's to come in the future.
MIF writes:
Those parents ought to be ashamed of themselves!
crazyjoedivola writes:
Scott is loving this! The plan is working beautifully. More opportunities for charter school corporations to set up shop in the state and take money away from public schools. Set kids up to fail, then sell their education to the highest bidder, with parents going right along.
IMSufrin (Inactive) writes:
Amen brother. Or get a second job nights to pay for private school tuition!
lilme writes:
Please let me tell you my experience. This past December I had 11th graders approach me for help with a project. At the moment I was online with a relative whose son was in Afghanistan. When I was able to assist, I apologized for not being able to help them sooner because of my online communication, passing along information of my relative who was in the war. They informed me that the war was over.
The troops were on their way home from Iraq. I believe that these 11th graders are reading at a 3rd grade level, and hopefully they will be passed down. Truthfully, it is shameful what Collier County is turning out.
furball writes:
God Bless the teachers having to teach children with low average intelligences. Stop blaming the teachers and stop rewarding baby breeding.
IMSufrin (Inactive) writes:
You may be on to something. Maybe it's not the teachers, or the educational system - maybe Florida kids are just plain imbeciles. It's pretty much true of their parents.
sunburnt writes:
Twenty percent of Collier third graders fail because their parents are illiterate and don't care, but don't leave them back because you might hurt their feelings.
joeblow writes:
Sure...has nothing to do with the teachers or schools right??? Gimmie a break. They are not doing anything to help either. NO RAISES!
okay writes:
What percentage of those children live in a home where the family refuses to speak English? Let alone read to their kids....
okay writes:
Take a look at the crop you've got to pick from......
cons3rvative writes:
collier has a huge non english speaking population while lee has a much lower one, that explains the disparity
chokoluskee writes:
Thank you.
chokoluskee writes:
Simple minded and completely out of touch.
blueblueblue writes:
Ok, wait. Are you a teacher? If so, why were you online with a relative during school hours, especially when your students were asking you for help?
Shouldn't you have been teaching, or at least not using district equipment for personal use when there were students needing assistance?
cons3rvative writes:
moron. vineyards was the top performing elementary in district.....and many other east of 75 schools were standouts
Bramble writes:
Why not write a headline that emphasizes the positive, that 80% passed? That is the truth.
blueblueblue writes:
Excellent point! Congrats to the 80%, and to the ones who really tried.
swfl_ff writes:
Well said! I am tired of the NDN always being negative when reporting on these issues.
There are several issues that effected the FCAT scores this year and many of them were beyond the school system and their teachers control. It was well known that the FCAT scores would be lower this year due to the system by which they are graded. Add to that all the students in our school system that come from non English speaking home whose scores are included in these test results.
At least the News Press choose to take a more positive approach to this story.
http://www.news-press.com/article/201...
lilme writes:
No, I am not a teacher. I am a neighbor to 16 and 17 year olds that are at a 3rd grade level. Pitiful, isn't it.
blueblueblue writes:
Then thank you for your support to these students. It is refreshing to know that someone goes out of their way to care.
I apologize for any misconceptions, people like you are to be commended.
my-opinion writes:
STOP putting little kids on one pot. Stop making this a political issue. 2 out of 10 kids GROW at different rates. This has been true for decades and generations.
my-opinion writes:
6:18pm is NOT school hours ...herzyur stupid sign
wonderful (Inactive) writes:
Good ol' May 7th wonderful just trying to 'fit?' in. But you do have it RIGHT! By most polls now: Romney 80% to oabama's 17% unless the convict in Texas can get on the ballot, then he drops to 12%
Keep talking, joe! G-----
my-opinion writes:
Most of those families (immigrant) are Catholic..with a married mother and father in a committed loving relationship. Many modern Americans have alternative lifestyles. Most alternative life styles end up with legal judgement in favor of an "old school" grandmother raising kids. Be very careful about your judgements of 3rd world families.
blueblueblue writes:
My God, you are stupid. She said it happened last DECEMBER.
Take a reading course. AND a spelling class.
herzyur???? Yeah, okay...
blueblueblue writes:
More proof of your cluelessness.
Married, Catholic, and still can't raise the children they bring into this world without depending on our country to support them.
my-opinion writes:
no there are no more southern bells and your kids are as clueless as you.
my-opinion writes:
Blue Collar Comedy Tour... noted scripts by Bill Endoval. In common diction... "here is your stupid sign." With colloquialisms, such as Brair Bear and Brair Rabbit that might be pronounced as...herzurstupidsign! Stupid in December is no different than stupid in May.
Iamman0318 writes:
Why can't these stupid test just go away. They are nothing but a stress bomb for the teachesr, parents and kids. They are dumb. Teachers even hate them. Kids make themselves sick over these stupid test. I hate them with a passion. My child is in 3 rd grade and reading this now makes me worried. Thanks collier county for putting this news out before the kids know their own results.
Ny_715 writes:
Potentially 680 students can be held back?? That's pathetic and I'm calling the 3rd graders pathetic but everybody else that's apart of these kids having the sufficient knowledge to pass these tests. Basically boiling down to the parents first then the teachers. They could be trying but as the numbers show they're not trying hard enough. Education should be the number one priority.
Ny_715 writes:
Not calling the 3rd graders pathetic*
JustaTroll writes:
How can teachers teach when they have no control in the classroom anymore? That was taken away years ago when corporal punishment was banned.
itmattershere writes:
You can thank the Republican agenda for this one. What's the reason now, stupid G.O.P... Things were bad in the school system, now they are worse. Thanks Republican slime.
grouper25 writes:
What do you expect when you have such a high percentage of third world illiterates invading our country and our govt supporting them, coddling them etc.
Thanks to Obama, the democrats, and many of the Republicans.
blueblueblue writes:
Stupid all year round must be hard to live with, right? Each of your posts proves it.
CCPS_Employee writes:
As an employee of one of the 'F' schools, I must say that many, many parents do not care for their children. We discipline, feed, clothe and teach these kids. It is very sad to see.
Ruger writes:
THIS
Community Agitators, how do they work?
http://yourdaddy.net/2011/03/02/the-o...
Z07 writes:
I guess they forgot to give the test in spanish. The USA is done.
wonderful (Inactive) writes:
How 'bout tying in administrative pay to the passing FCAT percentage, eh? and spread the reduction into the classroom!
IMSufrin (Inactive) writes:
So, if 20% failed, 90% passed? You must have been educated here too!
sunburnt writes:
For stupidity press one, for Spanish press two
wasteofmoney writes:
Actually according the data provided by FLDOE http://fcat.fldoe.org/mediapacket/201...
Sea Gate Elementary was the best performing school. They are a No Child Left Behind school also.
localmike writes:
My twins both passed there reading with higher then average scores.Maybe parents should try reading to there kids(in english)
Taxpayer_vs_Govt writes:
I would gladly give up my district job, to see us go back to real teaching. This means, shelve the bloated technology (and the budget needed to maintain it), get back to books and a chalkboard, toss the disruptive kids out (or make them go to work) and allow those who want to learn, to do so. I see it first hand. It disgusts me, the way our system works here.
The state mandates this, mandates that, yadda yadda yadda. I want to puke. Nuff' said ?
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