Assessment Information for Grades 7 & 8
Students in grades 7 & 8 will participate in the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) in reading and math, three times per year. The first progress monitoring window (PM1) will occur within the first 30 days of school, the second (PM2) will occur in the middle of the school year, and the third (PM3) will occur at the end of the school year.
Specific dates and further testing information will be provided by your child's teacher and/or Mr. Boils, the Glades County Virtual School testing coordinator.
FAST assessments may be completed remotely or at the student's area zoned school.
Students enrolled in Middle Grades Civics will take an End-of-Course exam which will count as 30% of the students overall course grade.
FLDOE Student Testing Policies apply to students testing remotely as well as in-person.
Please review the following policies with your student before testing:
Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated.
Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment printed in the student’s test and response book that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by signing below the statement in their test and response books.
Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they sign below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states that because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, students may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including test items and passages) after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to social media sites. Please make sure your student understands this policy prior to testing and remind them that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.
Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.
Leaving Testing—If your student leaves testing before completing a test (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.