MANATEE DISTRICT STUDENTS IMPROVE WRITING
SCORES IN SIX OF EIGHT AREAS TESTED

(Bradenton, FL - May 8, 2008) The overwhelming majority of Manatee District students continue to score at grade-level and above and district students increased their performance over the previous year in six of eight areas tested, according to the 2008 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Writing Plus results released today by the Florida Department of Education. The FCAT Writing Plus is administered to students in public schools in grades 4, 8 and 10.

There are three types of writing assessed on the FCAT Writing Plus. Expository writing requires students to explain something; narrative writing asks students to describe something; and persuasive writing requires students to present an argument. The FCAT Writing Plus is scored on a range of 1-6, with 6 being the top level of achievement. A score of 3.5 is the state of Florida's designated level of proficiency.

In expository writing, 75% of Manatee District 4th graders scored 3.5 or above, an 8% increase over 2007. In narrative writing, 64% of district 4th graders scored 3.5 or higher, which was 3% lower than 2007 results. When combining expository and narrative results, 70% of Manatee District 4th graders scored 3.5 or higher, which was an increase of 3% from the previous year. In addition, 20 district elementary schools increased their combined writing results this year over the 2007 results.

In 8th grade, 84% of district students scored at 3.5 or above in expository writing, which was a 2% increase from 2007. In persuasive writing, 86% of district 8th graders scored 3.5 or better, a 2% increase from the previous year. When combining expository and persuasive results, 85% of district 8th graders scored at 3.5 or above, up 1% from 2007. Across the district eight middle schools increased their combined writing results this year.

In 10th grade, 74% of district students scored 3.5 or above in persuasive writing, which equaled last year's result. In the combined category, 74% of Manatee District 10th graders scored 3.5 or higher, which represents a 3% gain from 2007. Four district high schools increased their combined writing results this year.

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