Have trouble keeping all the tests and their acronyms straight? Here's a guide to key tests in South Florida schools:

• Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS): Tests kindergarten students on phonics, fluency and letters; offered in the first 30 days of the school year.

• Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading (FAIR): A statewide diagnostic assessment for students in K-10 grades that focuses on comprehension, vocabulary and fluency; offered three times a year.

• District Benchmark Assessment: Diagnostic assessment for grades 3-10 given in the fall; used as a prediction for how students will fare on the FCAT.

• Fall FCAT Reading and Mathematics SSS Retake: Students who are high school juniors or older and didn't pass the FCAT may take this test.

• Fall PSAT/NMSQT: This test determines National Merit scholars; given to tenth-graders.

• District Benchmark Assessment: Students in grades 3-10 are tested on strengths and weaknesses; it's an FCAT preparedness indicator test given in the fall.

• Florida Alternate Assessment Administration (ESE): This assessment is for students who are not able to take the FCAT test, often those with learning disabilities.

• Portfolio Assessment Reading Comprehension: A review for third-graders who underperformed on the FCAT and may be retained.

• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this standardized test is given to select students. Assessments are done on math, reading, science, writing, the arts, economics, geography and U.S. history.

• FCAT Writing and Assessment: The writing essay portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, given in the winter to fourth, eighth and 10th grades.

• FCAT Reading and Mathematics Sunshine State Standards: State tests given in the spring. Reading and math is given to grades 3-10; science and testing on the Sunshine State Standards is given in fifth, eighth and 11th grades. A retake is offered for older students who performed poorly on earlier FCAT.

• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT): Second-graders are tested in March to see if they are gifted.

• Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment (CELLA): An English proficiency test in April for English as a Second Language students. Students who perform well may leave ESOL courses.

• Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10): Reading comprehension test in May for tenth-graders that assesses their readiness for college.

• Grade Three Alternate for Promotion: For third-gaders who don't meet FCAT requirements; the test offers a way for students to still be promoted.

• Advanced Placement Exams: The May exams test to see if students may get college credit while in high school.

• Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS): Often used by children in private schools or taught at home; geared for grades K-8, it measures instructional development.

-- NATALIE P. MCNEAL

nmcneal@gmail.com

SOURCES: Broward County Schools' Student Assessment and School Performance Department and Miami-Dade County Schools' Office of Accountability

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