Polk County Public Schools
Polk’s eighth graders recorded their highest scores ever on the writing portion of the FCAT. FCAT writing results were released today by the Florida Department of Education.
Polk’s eighth grade combined score of 4.1 was the school district’s best ever, topping a 4.0 recorded in 2007. Polk’s eighth graders have steadily improved their writing scores since 2004. Polk had a 3.6 combined in 2004, 3.8 in 2005 and 3.9 in 2006.
86 percent of Polk eighth graders in 2008 scored a 3.5 and above and 75 percent scored a 4.0 and above. These percentages were also Polk’s highest for having students score 3.5 and above and 4.0 and above. By comparison, in 2007, 83 percent of eighth graders scored 3.5 and above and 69 percent scored 4.0 and above.
Polk’s fourth graders recorded their second highest writing scores in 2008. Polk’s 3.8 combined in 2008 trails only 3.9 scores recorded in 2006 and 2007. 79 percent of fourth graders in 2008 scored 3.5 and above in writing and 66 percent scored 4.0 and above. The 79 percent scoring 3.5 and above ties for Polk’s second-best performance for writing among fourth graders. Polk also had 79 percent in 2006. Polk’s best for 3.5 and above was 83 percent in 2007. Polk’s 66 percent scoring 4.0 and above in fourth grade in 2008 was the school district’s third best. Polk’s best for fourth graders scoring 4.0 and above was 70 percent in 2007. Second highest was 67 percent in 2006.
Polk’s tenth grade performance is consistent with scores since 2003. Polk’s 2008 combined writing score for tenth graders is 3.7. The school district has received a 3.7 in four of the last six years. Polk also recorded a 3.7 in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Polk received a 3.8 in 2005 and 2007. Polk’s best ever tenth grade combined writing score was 4.1 in 2000.
70 percent of Polk’s tenth graders in 2008 scored 3.5 and above in writing and 52 percent scored 4.0 and above in writing.
A complete summary of Polk’s 2008 FCAT writing scores can be found at http://fcat.fldoe.org/fwinfopg.asp.