Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

School News  

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your student will take the computer-based Grade 6/7/8 Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Writing assessment on April 1,2025. The B.E.S.T. Writing assessment is administered in one 120-minute session, and students may work up to half of a typical school day. Your school will provide information about how to access the test results.

If you or your student would like to review the computer-based sample items at home, the sample items and certain released tests are available at https://flfast.org/families.html.

Please review the following policies with your student before testing:

Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, smart glasses, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test will be invalidated. 

Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they click the box to accept the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states that because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, students may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including the passages, prompts, and writing responses) after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to social media sites. Please make sure your student understands this policy prior to testing and remind them that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.

Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.

Leaving Campus—If your student leaves campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test session. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.

Arriving Late - If your student arrives late to school and testing for the day has already begun, school administration will determine a safe location for your student to wait until they can rejoin their class and testing concludes.  Your student will then have the opportunity to test on a subsequent day within the state testing window.

Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.   

 Testing Irregularities—In the event a testing irregularity occurs in your student’s testing room, as part of a school investigation, your student may be asked questions to provide clarification of the incident. In addition, your students’ assessment will be invalidated if cheating or plagiarism is suspected. You will be notified if this occurs.

If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Jon Paul Martin at 239-936-1759. 

For more information about the Florida Statewide Assessments program, please visit the portal at https://flfast.org/fsa.html. 

Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Karen Prentice

District News

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