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New and Improved 6th Grade Reading Program
A new version of the 6th grade reading program, called Reading Factory, is now available.
This revision of Reading Island includes remedial features and vocabulary instruction pioneered in the 3rd and 4th grade reading programs, Galactic Library and Reading Odyssey. The new Reading Factory features 27 passages with all new graphics, a new engaging interface, vocabulary games, and improved passage sequencing.
Remedial features added to the content include word click audio, embedded questions, and passage highlighting for incorrect answer choices. All the item types and benchmarks currently tested on the FCAT are covered. In addition, pre-reading vocabulary instruction has been added for each passage.
The metaphor for Reading Factory is centered around a book binding machine. Students see a giant binding machine as the main menu. Parts of the machine are not working, and the students' job is to complete content to fix or unlock the broken machine parts. The giant machine consists of three parts. Completing content within each of the three mechanisms unlocks or fixes the single part, freeing it to move or power the completed mechanism. Students' program completion reward is enabling the mechanism to work.
Reading and Math Item Specifications Released
The 2009 Reading and Mathematics Item Specifications have been released and are available on the DOE website (fcat.fldoe.org). These item specifications are based on the newly revised standards for Reading and Mathematics.
The FCAT Explorer Support Services Team is working to revise the mathematics content in FCAT Explorer and Focus over the next year. To accomplish this, the Team is reviewing the items, revising where necessary, and replacing as needed. The revised content will be available on the
websites after the 2010 administration of the FCAT.
The 2010 FCAT will be based on the 1996 standards for all subjects. Starting in 2011, the 2007 mathematics standards will be tested on the FCAT.
Teacher Training Available
The FCAT Explorer/FOCUS Support Services Team is available to provide training to teachers and staff across the state. Support Services Staff can train any teacher, media specialist, school administrator, or other school staff in using the FCAT Explorer and FOCUS Teacher's Desk features.
For more information, or to set up a training session, call 888-750-3228.
FCAT Explorer and FOCUS Newsletter
The FCAT Explorer & Focus Newsletter is delivered to all public school teachers in Florida via e-mail. The newsletter is designed to provide teachers and administrators with the latest information about these two free resources from the Department of Education. If you would like to receive the newsletter and have not yet, please send an e-mail to newsletter@fcatexplorer.com and type Subscribe in the subject line.
To see previous issues of the newsletter, click on one of the links below:
ISSUE 1, FALL 2006
ISSUE 2, WINTER 2007
ISSUE 3, SPRING 2007
ISSUE 4, SUMMER 2007
ISSUE 5, FALL 2007
ISSUE 6, WINTER 2008
ISSUE 7, SPRING 2008
ISSUE 8, FALL 2008
ISSUE 9, WINTER 2009
ISSUE 10, SPRING 2009
ISSUE 11, FALL 2009
FCAT Explorer and Adobe Flash
Are you up to date?
Currently, most FCAT Explorer programs will run under Adobe Flash Player 6.0. However, it is a good idea to update the Flash Player program on your computer, especially if you want to take advantage of the new features planned for FCAT Explorer.
In June 2008, we launched Science Station: 5th Grade Benchmarks. Science Station and other programs launched in the new school year will run under Adobe Flash Player 7.0.
Please note: The current Flash Player version is 10.0, so if you've updated since October 2008, your Flash player will support all FCAT Explorer programs.
You can download Adobe Flash Player at no cost from the Adobe site. Click here to download Adobe Flash Player.
If you have problems installing the new Flash Player, you can find help from Adobe at this site: http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/.
Best Practice Guidelines Offer Tips for Effective Use
FCAT Explorer Support Services team members have developed a set of Best Practice Guidelines to help you use FCAT Explorer practice programs as effectively as possible. The guidelines offer tips and suggestions in the following areas:
- Starting a New School Year
- Getting Your Students Started
- Signing On
- Exploring Your Teacher's Desk
- Monitoring Student Progress
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- Getting Familiar with the Student Site
- Helping Students Succeed
- Exploring in the Classroom
- Encouraging After-School Use
- Getting Technical Assistance
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To access the guidelines, click the link at the end of this article. On subsequent visits, you can click Educator Resources on the home page—you'll find the FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines link under the School Resources column.
Support Services team members developed the FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines based on discussions and interactions with public school teachers throughout Florida. If you have additional ideas or suggestions to offer, click CONTACT US from the FCAT Explorer home page or your FCAT Explorer Teacher's Desk. You can also give your ideas to a Support Services team member by calling 888.750.3228 toll-free.
The
FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines will be updated as Support Services team members collect new ideas and insights from you and other teachers, so check it out from time to time!
Yearly Database Renewal
To prepare for the upcoming school year, the Support Services Team has renewed the FCAT Explorer database. Sign-in names and passwords of all teachers have been deleted. Additionally, all student sign-in names, passwords, and performance data have been deleted.
During the fall enrollment period, the FCAT Explorer Team will work with your district office to process student and teacher sign-in names and passwords. Once the enrollment for your district is complete, your district office will distribute new sign-in names and passwords to your School Administrator. The list of Currently Enrolled Districts and School Administrators below allows you to check on the enrollment process for your school or district.
Typically, enrollment is complete within two weeks after school starts. Thank you for your patience as we prepare the database for the upcoming school year enrollments.
