Dear Parent/Guardian,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that students enrolled in US Government courses will take the computer-based Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) on April 22, 2022. Florida Statute section 1003.4282 states, “Beginning with the 2021–2022 school year, students taking the United States Government course are required to take the assessment of civic literacy identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to s.1007.25(4). Students earning a passing score on the assessment are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment required by s. 1007.25(4).”
The FCLE is administered in one 160-minute session. Any student who has not completed the session by the end of the allotted time may continue working up to half the length of a typical school day.
If you or your student would like to become familiar with the computer-based platform at home, you may access the Civics or U.S. History EOC practice test and answer key available at https://fsassessments.org/families.html.
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, his or her test will be invalidated.
- Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment 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 clicking the box in the secure browser indicating they understand the testing rules.
- Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they click the box to accept 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, passages, and prompts) 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 Campus—If your student leaves campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test session. 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.
- Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, please contact Rebecca Jarke at rjarke@pasco.k12.fl.us
For more information about the Florida Statewide Assessments program, please visit the portal at www.FSAssessments.org/fsa.html.
Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Jarke
Assistant Principal
