The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and with it comes end-of-the-year testing. Florida public schools are in their third year of FAST- Florida Assessment of Student Thinking and BEST- Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking standards-based instruction. Hardee Junior High School students participated in reading and math Progress Monitoring (PM) Assessments in September and December this school year. Students will complete the third and final Progress Monitoring Assessment in May. In addition to the Reading and Math Progress Monitoring Assessment, students in 8th grade will take the Civics and Science End of Course Exams. Select students will be taking the Algebra 1 End of Course Exam.
The purpose of the three reading and math progress monitoring assessments is to help teachers monitor student's knowledge of the B.E.S.T. standards. After each assessment teachers analyze their classes and individual student data to determine modifications to instructional planning and delivery. The third and final assessment is used to determine a student's mastery of the B.E.S.T. standards for the school year. The data from these assessments can also be used to determine placement for the upcoming school year in remedial and/or advanced courses. It is strongly recommended that parents discuss the importance of these assessments with their children before testing in May.
New this school year, the 8th-grade Science EOC will be a computer-based assessment. Also new to Hardee Junior High, the CIVICS EOC has been moved to 8th grade. Previously, CIVICS was a 7th-grade subject and assessment. The Reading and Math Progress Monitoring Assessments will have a general administration of 120 minutes; however, all students will have until the end of the school day to complete their assessments if needed. The Civics, Science, and Algebra 1 EOC will have a general administration of 160 minutes, but all students will have until the end of the school day to complete their assessments if needed. Due to the additional time allotted for each assessment, students are strongly encouraged to use their time wisely.
The testing schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, May 1st - 6th Grade ELA
Thursday, May 2nd - 6th Grade Math
Friday, May 3rd – 8th Grade Civics EOC
Monday, May 6th - 7th Grade ELA
Tuesday, May 7th - 7th Grade Math
Wednesday, May 8th – 8th Grade Science
Thursday, May 9th - 8th Grade ELA
Friday, May 10th - 8th Grade Math and Algebra 1 EOC
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, smart phones, air pods, and smart watches 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.
Calculators— 6th-8th grade students will have access to the appropriate state-approved online calculator for the PM 3 Math assessment and Algebra 1 EOC. For the 8th grade Science EOC, a handheld four-function calculator will be provided.
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.” Before testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by signing the statement on their planning sheets, worksheets, or work folders. For computer-based testing, students will check a box.
Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they sign below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states: “Because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, you 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 online, for example, on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram.” Please make sure your student understands 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. In addition, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) employs Caveon Test Security to analyze student test results to detect unusually similar answer patterns. Student tests within a school that are found to have extremely similar answer patterns will be invalidated.
Leaving Campus
—If your student leaves campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment, illness), 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 your student’s school counselor to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
Parents can best prepare their children for the upcoming assessment by encouraging their children to do their best and work hard during the time provided. A good night's rest and breakfast in the morning will also give your child the fuel they need to maintain their focus during testing. Breakfast is provided in the school's cafeteria each morning before school. Students should be in attendance and arrive on time each day.
Parents and students can also visit the Florida Statewide Assessment Portal for additional information about testing or interact with sample practice tests. Parents and students can expect to see data reports showing their child's progress located in the Florida Statewide Assessment Family Portal at https://flfast.org/index.html. Additional information about testing can also be found on the school website at