FCAT writing scores dramatically drop

The Florida Department of Education lowered the passing grade for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) writing test on Tuesday after preliminary results showed only one-third of students passed the more rigorous writing standard.

The DOE called an emergency conference call Tuesday morning and unanimously approved lowering the passing standard from 4 to 3 only for this year. The last-minute change will keep the percentage of students passing essentially the same as last year. 

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