INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Two magnet schools and a traditional elementary were the highest scorers on both the FCAT reading and math portions, according to state officials.

Osceola Magnet, Rosewood Magnet and Beachland Elementary had the highest percentage of students perform above grade level in the 3rd Grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test reading and math sections.

Overall, Indian River County performed on par – within one point of the state’s average on both portions. In fact, the county bested the state average in reading by a point – 85 to 84. On the flip side, the state performed better than the county in math – 90 to 89.

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is part of Florida’s overall plan to increase student achievement by implementing higher standards, according to the Florida Department of Education.

In March, more than 1,300 third graders across the state took the reading and math FCATs. The reading exam required students to read short stories and answer related questions, while the math test required students to use maps, graphs, charts and other tools to formulate their answers.

In order to pass the FCAT – which is a requirement to move on to the fourth grade – students had to attain a Level 2 or more. A Level 3 is considered “grade level” while levels 4 and 5 are “above grade level.” A Level 1 is “failing,” and would require third graders to be held back.

In Indian River County 14 percent of third graders received a Level 1 score in reading, according to state records – 2 percent better than the state average of 16 percent.

Every school had some percentage of students who received Level 1 scores in reading, which ranged from 3 percent at Osceola Magnet to 26 percent at Dodgertown.

In math, Indian River County did not perform as well as the state, according to state records. Those records show 11 percent of Indian River County third graders earned a Level 1 in math, compared to 9 percent the state averaged.

However, two schools in the county district had no percentage of students who received Level 1 scores in math – North County Charter Elementary School and St. Peter’s Academy.

Dodgertown and Highlands elementary schools, however, had the highest percentage of Level 1 scores in math – 20 and 19, respectively.

Dodgertown improved its FCAT math score over last year, though. In 2009, 30 percent of the school’s third graders received a Level 1 score in math.

Highlands, however, dropped from last year’s 15 percent Level 1 to this year’s 19 percent.

For more information about the FCAT, visit the Florida Department of Education online.

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By the Numbers: FCAT scores in Indian River County

Top 3 Reading* Percent Bottom 3 Reading* Percent

BEACHLAND 58 NORTH COUNTY CHARTER 22

OSCEOLA MAGNET 57 HIGHLANDS 20

ROSEWOOD MAGNET 49 DODGERTOWN 17

Top 3 Math* Percent Bottom 3 Math* Percent

ROSEWOOD MAGNET 63 GLENDALE 24