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FCAT Writing Scores

When reviewing FCAT Writing essay results from 2010 and beyond, comparisons to previous years' writing scores should be avoided. This caution is given for three reasons. First, in spring 2010 and spring 2011, each essay was scored by one rater. In previous years and in 2012, two raters were used and the scores were averaged allowing for half-point scores, such as 4.5; whereas in 2010 and 2011, no half-point scores were possible. Second, beginning in 2010, each student within the same grade level was required to write an essay using the same writing purpose, which is also called the mode (narrative, expository, or persuasive). In previous years, with the exception of grade 10 in 2008, there were two modes assessed at each grade level with half of the students responding to each mode. For example, the 2010 Grade 4 FCAT Writing required all students to write a narrative essay. In 2009, half of the students wrote a narrative essay, and half of the students were required to write an expository essay. Third, in 2012, scoring decisions included expanded expectations regarding the following: (1) increased attention to the correct use of standard English conventions, and (2) increased attention to the quality of details, requiring use of relevant, logical, and plausible support, rather than contrived statistical claims or unsubstantiated generalities.

For more information on how writing essays are scored, writing prompts, and sample essays, see the FCAT and FCAT 2.0 Writing Program Summary. 

2012 Scores

  • State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups

  • School Scores for All Curriculum Groups

2011 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 69KB)
FCAT Writing Trends: 2001-2011 (PDF, 61KB)

  • State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups
  • School Scores for All Curriculum Groups

2010 Scores

Note: Changes in scoring procedures were implemented in 2010. For more information, see above.

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 40KB)

  • State and District Scores for All Curriculum Groups
  • School Scores for All Curriculum Groups

2009 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 56KB)
FCAT Writing 2009 State Summary Report
FCAT Writing Average Essay Scores 1993-2009 (PDF, 32KB)
FCAT Writing 1999-2009 Percent Scoring at and Above 3.5 and 4 (PDF, 53KB)

2008 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 52KB)
FCAT Writing+ 2008 State Summary Report
FCAT Writing Average Essay Scores 1993-2008 (PDF, 35KB)
FCAT Writing+ 1999-2008 Percent Scoring at and Above 3.5 and 4 (PDF, 51KB)
FCAT Writing+ Achievement Levels (2007-2008) (PDF, 49KB)

2007 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 2MB)
FCAT Writing+ 2007 State Summary Report (PDF, 87KB)
FCAT Writing Average Essay Scores 1993-2007 (PDF, 27KB)
FCAT Writing+ 1999-2007 Percent Scoring at and Above 3.5 and 4 (PDF, 43KB)
FCAT Writing+ Achievement Levels (2007-2008) (PDF, 49KB)

2006 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 54KB)
FCAT Writing+ 2006 State Summary Report (PDF, 68KB)
FCAT Writing Average Essay Scores 1993-2006 (PDF, 31KB)
FCAT Writing+ 1999-2006 Percent Scoring at and Above 3.5 and 4 (PDF, 42KB)

2005 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 62KB)

2004 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 179KB)

2003 Scores

Statewide Comparison of Writing Scores (PDF, 34KB)

2002 Scores

2001 Scores

2000 Scores

1999 Scores

Note about Excel files: Some of the Excel tables have more than 1 sheet, one for each grade level.  To see another sheet click on one of the tabs at the bottom of the Excel screen.  They are labeled Grades 3 - 10.

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