Mackenzie Pierce – Staff Writer
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The new year brings Mustangs a new academic challenge.
Starting Feb. 2, LRHS freshman and sophomore english students will take the Florida Standard Assessment (FSA) English Language and Arts (ELA) test. This test will be replacing the familiar FCAT.
LRHS Assistant Principal Mike Mullen said this is a simple field test that has been set up in order to allow students to sample the water as they take the final version of the ELA later in the school year.
The new test will be similar to the FCAT in that there will be two computerized sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. All students in English I and II will be tested throughout the two week testing window.
Mullen said the test is good preparation.
“We don’t want our students to be blindsided by this test when it comes time to take it later in the year,” he said. “We’re in communication with the district to ensure that everything goes smoothly.”
Juniors and seniors who have yet to pass the FCAT will still be required to pass the original test.