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May 09, 2008 (The News Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The state Department of Education's release of FCAT writing scores for grades four, eight and 10 came without much fanfare Thursday.

Superintendent James McCalister was pleased with the way the higher grades performed but expressed disappointment at the fourth-grade scores. The state set the proficiency level at 3.5, but Bay District students scored below that, at 3.4. Last year, they scored 3.6. The state average also dropped one-tenth of a point from the 2007 score to 3.8 this year.

"At the fourth-grade level, they had to do expository and narrative writing," McCalister said. "They did extremely well on the expository, but not so well on narrative. We'll have to beef up the narrative writing."

Although the fourth-grade average dropped, McCalister said several elementary schools fared well. He wanted to recognize Lynn Haven and Bozeman elementary schools for exceeding the state average.

At the middle-school level, McCalister said eighth-graders remained above the 3.5 proficiency level, scoring a 4.0. Eighth- and 10th-graders are tested on expository and persuasive writing.

"Mowat, Merritt Brown and Bay Haven stood out," McCalister said.

Tenth-graders scored a 3.9, with students at Arnold and Mosley high schools excelling. The state began reporting the writing scores in 2000 and has noticed some trends: Elementary schools: 91 percent (20 out of 22 Bay schools) have continued to improve on the writing scores. Middle schools: 67 percent (six out of nine) have continued to improve their writing scores. High schools: 80 percent (eight out of 10) continue to improve.

The writing scores will count toward school grades. Those who scored a 3.5 or higher will earn points for their school toward the school grade.

At the beginning of the school year, the state passed a rule that required 10th-grade students to pass the FCAT writing portion to graduate. In March, that requirement was rescinded. However, the writing scores still will count toward a school's grade.

"We want to continue to celebrate the accomplishments at the student, school and district level while continuing to focus on the goal of improvement," McCalister said. "We will continue to analyze the information from the reported scores today to identify areas of strengths and challenges as we plan for next year in the improvement process."

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Donna Vavala

Copyright (C) 2008 The News Herald, Panama City, Fla.

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