Student score reports consist of achievement levels based on scaled scores and developmental scale scores, notes the Florida Department of Education (DOE). Developmental scale scores are used to track student learning progress and provided for subjects students are tested on in consecutive years. Scale scores are provided in the areas of writing and science, areas that students are not tested in annually.
Students are given an achievement level for each test subject, ranging from a score of one to five, with level one being the lowest level and level five being the highest level. Students that score at level three or above are considered to be at least on grade level in the subject tested. Data for student achievement levels is calculated based on a student's developmental scale score or scale score, according to the Florida DOE.
When looking at developmental scale score data, parents and teachers must remember to take other factors into account when analyzing a student's annual growth, such as classroom performance and academic achievement. Score reports for younger students typically show higher levels of growth than reports for older students, gains may not always be consistent, and some years the data may show no growth and should not be the only method used to determine a student's learning gains.