Education department releases FCAT results

Manatee County third-graders’ performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide.

Results released Thursday, May 24 by the Florida Department of Education showed 50% of Manatee third-graders scored at a level showing proficiency — level 3 or above — in reading. Last year, under different grading standards, 66% of third-graders scored at level 3 or higher.

In mathematics, 48% of third-graders scored at level 3 or higher, compared to 69% last year.

Statewide results in both categories showed a similar drop in scores from last year to this year.

In the East County, two elementary schools showed impressive scores. At Willis Elementary, 81% of third-graders scored at level 3 or higher in reading and 75% scored level 3 or above in math. At Witt Elementary, 76% and 71% of third-graders scored level 3 or higher in reading and math, respectively.