Institute for Workforce Competitiveness

HSTW FL '98

This report summarizes Florida's 1998 student achievement data in reading, math and science for 1,554 vocational completers who took the '98 HSTW Assessment.

The Executive Summary is below. You may also download the complete report in PDF format.

To download the 105K report: Right-click on the icon. Choose "save as" and then OK.

How do I read a PDF file?

Executive Summary

High Schools That Work is a comprehensive, whole-school revitalization based on the belief that students following general and vocational programs of study can master complex academic and technical subjects if schools create an environment that encourages students to succeed.

HSTW sites administer an assessment every two years of the achievement, school experiences, and work experiences of career-bound youth. The assessment includes tests in Reading, Mathematics and Science that are linked with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests -- the congressionally-mandated "report card of the nation." Because the HSTW test development and score scale are based on the NAEP characteristics, it is possible to make comparisons between HSTW assessment results and the national NAEP academic and vocational samples.

In 1998, Florida HSTW sites tested 1,554 vocational completers (seniors who completed at least 4 Carnegie Units in a vocational concentration). While there is still much progress to be made, the 1998 assessment results show that efforts by Florida HSTW schools are paying off in improved student achievement. Florida has increased student achievement in all three subjects: reading, mathematics and science, as shown below:

Test Area	Mean Score (Std Error)		% Meeting Performance Goal		% Meeting Curriculum Goal
	1998	1996	1998	1996	1998	1996
Reading	286.8 (0.7)	277.5 (0.9)	66%	54%	38%	33%
Mathematics	310.8 (0.7)	297.9 (1.1)	75%	62%	85%	77%
Science	299.5 (0.7)	284.8 (0.9)	62%	47%	63%	52%

Some key strengths shown by the assessment results include:

Mathematics is Florida’s strongest area. Students show the highest proficiency in mathematics, and more students meet the curriculum goals in mathematics. Florida's mean score in mathematics is closer to the NAEP academic sample than in reading or science.

In general, Florida’s performance compares favorably to high-scoring sites in High Schools That Work.

Some key challenges are apparent from the 1998 assessment results, including:

Reading is the weakest area. Many students are reading at basic or below-basic proficiency levels. Fewer students are meeting the English curriculum goals.

Too little progress is being made in advancing the achievement of some groups of students. The average scores of female students in mathematics, male students in reading, and African-American students in all subject areas are not improving. In particular, the needs of African-American students, as compared to other groups, are not being met.

In addition to emphasizing more higher-level courses for students, students need to be given more challenging assignments and be taught in more relevant ways.

Title Page Information

Title: State of Florida High Schools That Work: 1998 Assessment Results Summary

Date: April 1999

Prepared for: Program Development and School-to-Work, Division of Workforce Development, Department of Education, 325 W. Gaines Street, Room 754, Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Prepared by: Mary Haley, M.S.Ed. and Nancy Scheel, M.S., Institute for Workforce Competitiveness at Florida International University, Miami FL, 33199