The Florida Times Union May 27, 2010

HEADLINE: Third grade reading FCAT scores up in Nassau, Duval, steady in Clay

By Mary Kelli Palka

Third-grade results for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test largely held steady in the First Coast, according to figures released by the state today.

Nassau County saw the biggest gain with 84 percent of third-graders reading at or above grade level, up from 81 percent last year.

More Duval County third-graders are performing above grade level in reading, district officials said today. Overall, math scores stayed the same, while reading scores improved by 1 percentage point.

"We are encouraged to see that many of our schools are maintaining progress and increasing their third-graders' scores in reading and math, particularly at our Turnaround Schools," Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals said in a statement.

Duval's performance were in line with the statewide numbers on reading and math.

Clay County third graders kept pace with last year's reading and math scores, with 82 percent at or above grade level in reading and 86 percent at or above grade level in math, the same percentages as 2009.

"The scores are fantastic," said Deputy Superintendent Denise Adams. "We are very pleased with the performance of our third graders and the teachers, administrators and support staff who helped get them there."

Sharon Chapman, Clay's assistant superintendent for instruction, agreed.

"I am just thrilled," she said. "The scores truly speak to the quality of education in
Clay County schools."

Clay administrators noted that the third graders' scores topped the state average by 10 percent in reading and 8 percent in math.

Putnam County saw the region's biggest dip, with 69 percent of third-graders reading at or above grade level, down from 72 in 2009.

St. Johns stumbled a little, with a one-point drop to 85 percent of students reading at or above grade level and a three-point drop to 87 percent of students performing at grade level in math.

Still, St. Johns tied for the highest reading scores in the state. Plus, St. Johns and Nassau had among the highest math scores in the state.

"I am very, very pleased with our scores," said St. Johns Superintendent Joseph Joyner