Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

High School Completion Rate Increased Slightly After FCAT Graduation Policy Implemented

Report 07-27, April 2007

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Report Summary

  • While there have been concerns that the FCAT graduation policy would result in greater high school dropouts, this has not occurred. After the policy was established that students must pass the 10th grade FCAT to receive a standard diploma, the percentage of first-time 9th graders who went on to complete high school has increased slightly, while the proportion of students who demonstrate acceptable performance in the 10th-grade Sunshine State Standards in math and reading has almost doubled.
  • Students who do not meet the state's FCAT achievement standards generally have more difficulty with reading than math, and do not utilize all retake opportunities. While there are five retake opportunities prior to their scheduled graduation date, these students took the test an average of three times. Of the students who did not pass the FCAT before they were scheduled to graduate, 44% did not complete a Florida public high school program within four years.

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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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