Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Keyboard Consultants for 2009 FCAT Item Review and Proofreading Activities, Visually Impaired Grant (Curriculum and Instruction Division, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired – FIMC-VI)

We request approval of the agreement with Keyboard Consultants to review each individual test item in the Braille version of the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and the FCAT Sample Tests from the perspective of a blind reader. The consultant will preview test items to determine if they are reasonable and appropriate for blind and visually impaired students. The review will include the FCAT and FCAT Sample Tests for Reading and Mathematics for Grades 3-10 including Retakes; Science for Grades 5, 8, and 11; and FCAT Writing for Grades 4, 8, and 10.

The consultant will also proofread each individual Braille cell in all grade levels and subject areas of the 2009 Braille version of the FCAT and the FCAT Sample Tests. Proofreading ensures that the six-dot cells are formed properly and Braille Authority of North America’s format rules have been followed. Specialized requirements developed by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Office of Assessment and School Performance in the document titled “Connecting the Dots” must also be integrated.

In collaboration with FIMC-VI, the consultant with Keyboard Consultants has successfully performed these item reviews and proofreading functions to the satisfaction of FDOE for the past eight years.

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

Funds of $40,900 are included in the divisional special revenue/federal program budget, Project 1517, Florida Instructional Materials Center – Visually Impaired. All expenditures for this activity are reimbursed by the FCAT Development Contractor.