FCAT Parent Network

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FCAT Parent Network

Dear Colleagues,

This spring will be the first time the Department has been able to provide parents with online access to their child’s FCAT results. The FCAT Parent Network will provide individual student reports for FCAT Reading and Mathematics. At this password protected website, parents/guardians will be able to view an electronic copy of the report identical to the report they will receive in paper form later this spring.

The Governor, the Commissioner, and other state leaders have heard the message from their constituents that FCAT results need to be provided as soon as possible. The 2006 release of the FCAT Parent Network is an exciting first step. We will continue to seek other ways technology can enhance and improve the information available about FCAT scores.

Below I have provided talking points about this project and a list of attached documents.

Sincerely,

Cornelia S. Orr, Ph.D.

Administrator, Assessment and School Performance

Florida Department of Education 850/245-0513

FCAT Parent Network – Talking Points

„ The FCAT Parent Network is a password protected website where parents/guardians can view an electronic copy of their child’s FCAT Reading and Mathematics report.

„ The FCAT Parent Network is being announced through a series of letters to District Coordinators of Assessment, School Principals, and Parents.

„ The FCAT Parent Network, located at www.fcatparentnetwork.com, should be used to help engage parents in their students’ education.

„ The website’s homepage lists the grades for which FCAT scores have been posted, so parents will know when their students’ scores are ready to view.

„ The online report is identical to the paper report parents will receive later this spring.

„ The letter to parents includes the student’s name, grade level, login ID, and password. The letter is formatted so that it can be securely distributed and includes text in three languages (English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole).

„ The letter to parents will be distributed by each school using the method and time most appropriate for the district/school.

„ School principals will receive the letters for parents beginning the first week of April.

„ School principals will also receive a list of logins and passwords for their school in case a parent loses the information. The login list also can be accessed via the school’s secure account on the Navigator website at www.ctb.com.

„ Support for principals is available from the Department’s contractor, The Grow Network, and is described in the letter to the principal.

„ District Coordinators of Assessment will receive a list of parent accounts for each school in their district. The district’s login list also can be accessed via the district’s secure account on the Navigator website at www.ctb.com.

„ The initial report accessed on the FCAT Parent Network is designed for non-broadband users and contains summary information about student achievement levels and scale scores. Detailed information on content area achievement and a history of student scores over time are available by accessing the full PDF version of the report.

„ Parents will be able to view and print their student’s entire report, but they will not be able to save it.

Attachments

#1 Letter to District Coordinators of Assessment from Dr. Cornelia Orr – one page (PDF format)

#2 Letter to Principals from Dr. Cornelia Orr – one page (PDF format)

#3 Sample letter to Parents from Governor Bush and Commissioner Winn – two pages to be distributed as a two-sided single sheet (PDF format)

#4 FCAT Parent Network static web page announcement (PDF format)

#5 FCAT Parent Network homepage that shows the login screen (GIF format)

#6 FCAT Parent Network report page that shows a sample report (GIF format)

*********************************************************************** Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

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Don RamseyRegional FacilitatorBureau of School Improvement1353 Cross Creek WayTallahassee, FL 32301Ph. (850)414-9885Fax: (850)414-7157

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