The results of the first administration of the State Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam (EOC) were released today by the Florida Department of Education. Lee County Public Schools average score is comparable to other large districts across Florida and to the state average, said Joe Donzelli, a spokesman with the Lee County School system. As more information becomes available, District officials will be examining the results, he said.

“Compared to the other large districts, our students performed on par with their classmates across Florida,” said Dr. Lawrence Tihen, interim superintendent of schools. “I am confident that, like performance on other standardized tests, our student performance will increase in the coming years and set the standard for others to emulate.”

The District’s average score of 48 was right in the middle of the nine-largest districts (three large districts have higher scores, two the same and three have lower averages) and close to the state average of 49.43, Donzelli said.

Key Points about the Algebra 1 EOC:

· This was the first year of administration of this exam (replacing the ninth-grade FCAT Math comprehensive test);

· All District students taking Algebra were included in testing (6,181 students), not just ninth-graders;

· The test was administered on computers, the first online test administration for most students;

· No school scores are available at this time. The District will be reviewing those results when available;

· Results for current ninth-graders count as 30% of their course grade for Algebra 1;

· Results of the EOC will not be included in District or school grades this year.

School teachers and staff will make scores available to students shortly (although official paper reports will not be available until July). Students and parents will also be informed of scores on report cards, due to be mailed home this month.