Van Buren Middle School

This school was given a grade of "C" by the Florida Department of Education in 2007-2008. In 2006-2007, this school received a "D". In 2005-2006, this school received a "B".

About the School Grades

• Florida uses School Grades to measure the overall performance of a school each year on the FCAT.
• Each school is assigned a letter grade (A-F) based on three criteria: the overall performance on the FCAT, the percentage of eligible students who took the test, and whether or not students made progress in reading and math.
• The School Grades are calculated by adding points earned from each of the performance criteria listed above.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

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Scale: % scoring at or above grade level

Grade 6

Reading
 32% (2008)
 27% (2007)
 32% (2006)
 22% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 63% in 2008.

Math
 24% (2008)
 18% (2007)
 21% (2006)
 22% (2005)
The state average for Math was 53% in 2008.

Grade 7

Reading
 33% (2008)
 30% (2007)
 36% (2006)
 29% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 65% in 2008.

Math
 26% (2008)
 26% (2007)
 31% (2006)
 30% (2005)
The state average for Math was 61% in 2008.

Grade 8

Reading
 23% (2008)
 24% (2007)
 21% (2006)
 17% (2005)
The state average for Reading was 53% in 2008.

Science
 13% (2008)
 19% (2007)
 11% (2006)
The state average for Science was 40% in 2008.

Math
 37% (2008)
 40% (2007)
 41% (2006)
 39% (2005)
The state average for Math was 67% in 2008.

About the Tests

• In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math; in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing; and in grades 5, 8 and 11 in science.
• The FCAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.
• The FCAT has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest.
• Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

See Florida's state standards

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Scale: % scoring at or above level 3.5

Grade 8

Writing+
 85% (2008)
 85% (2007)
The state average for Writing+ was 88% in 2008.

About the Tests

• In 2007-2008 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Writing+ to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10.
  
• The Writing+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school.
• The FCAT Writing+ exam contains both multiple choice questions and an essay. The scores on GreatSchools profiles reflect student performance on the essay portion only.
• The essay is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3.5 and above to meet state standards.

Testing in Florida: An Overview  

Scale: National Percentile Rank (50 is the national average)

Grade 6
		Reading						Math
		31	45	47	37			40	44	41	48
		2005	2006	2007	2008			2005	2006	2007	2008

Grade 7
		Reading						Math
		40	45	45	48			51	46	54	50
		2005	2006	2007	2008			2005	2006	2007	2008

Grade 8
		Reading						Math
		50	50	47	46			57	61	59	58
		2005	2006	2007	2008			2005	2006	2007	2008

About the Tests

• In 2007-2008 Florida used a norm-referenced test (NRT) section on the FCAT to assess students in grades 3 through 10 in reading and math.
• The FCAT NRT measures how well students in Florida scored in comparison to their peers across the country.
• The goal is for all students to score at or above the national average on the test.

Testing in Florida: An Overview

Compare with test results from nearby schools