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Read the numbers

Third-grade FCAT reading scores make a big leap, according to figures released today.

By RON MATUS
Published May 1, 2006

[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]

Third graders Janney Karioki, 9, below, Alexis Golden, 8, top right, and Brooke Mallen, 8, top left, enjoy their books during a reading period in Leslee Hill's third-grade class on Monday. The three are students at High Point Elementary School, which improved its FCAT scores this year.

	[Times photo: Joseph Garnett Jr.]
	Just Elementary School Extended Learning Program tutor Mary James reacts with joy as she receives the overall results of the third grade FCAT reading scores Monday. Third-graders at the school more than doubled last year's score.

Florida third-graders made huge gains in reading this year, according to the latest results from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Results released Monday morning show the number of students reading at grade level jumped from 67 percent last year to 75 percent this year - a leap bigger than the previous three years' worth of gains combined.

The numbers also showed a big decrease in the number of third-graders who scored at the lowest level - from 20 percent to 14 percent.

Those students - about 28,000 statewide - will be retained unless they can prove through portfolios or other academic options that they deserve to be promoted to fourth grade.

Gov. Jeb Bush is slated to announce the scores in Tallahassee this morning.

Among the five school districts in West Central Florida, Hernando County's third-graders showed the biggest gains, with the number reading at grade level moving from 71 percent to 81 percent.

Pinellas third-graders continue to pace the state's seven urban districts, with 76 percent reading at grade level.

In Hillsborough, 73 percent are reading at grade level.

Statewide, the percentage of third-graders passing the FCAT in reading has risen 17 points since 2001.

Bush and Education Commissioner John Winn have credited the state's intense focus on reading in early grades, including the training of thousands of teachers in reading instruction. They have also defended the state's controversial third-grade retention policy as a way to provide extra help to students who struggle the most.

Scores released Monday show math scores are up, too. Seventy-two percent of Florida third-graders are now performing at grade level in that subject, up from 68 percent last year.

As in reading, all five West Central Florida districts showed gains. Citrus County leads the pack, with 79 percent of its third-graders at grade level.

Pinellas moved up three points to 74 percent. Hillsborough jumped five points to 69 percent.

[Last modified May 1, 2006, 11:27:02]