Help students understand the purpose and format of the FCLE.
Review key concepts across the four required learning outcomes.
Provide strategies for preparing, studying, and taking the exam.
Ensure students know if they need to take the test and how to verify their status.
Share the FCLE website with students
Start with the Basics: Who Needs to Take the FCLE?
It’s a graduation requirement for many MDC students.
To take the FCLE for the first time, students must be enrolled in (or have completed) one of these courses with a letter grade:
POS 2041, AMH 2020, or AMH 2010 (Fall 2024 or later).
Students who passed the FCLE in high school (2019–2021) or a Florida state university (2018–2021) with 60% or higher may have met the requirement already.
Help Students Verify Their FCLE Status
Step 1: Check MDConnect to see if FCLE results are posted.
Step 2: If missing, submit results via the Test Entry Request Form.
Share the Self-Service Instructions to guide students through this process.
Use the FCLE Practice Test Strategically
Encourage students to take the practice test to get familiar with the question style and test format.
Emphasize that this is not a predictor of performance but a tool for review and orientation.
The test covers four areas equally (approx. 25% each):
U.S. History & Founding Documents
Principles of U.S. Government
The U.S. Constitution
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Review Key Content, Don’t Rely on Rote Memorization
Ask comprehension-based questions and explain why the correct answers are correct.
Use flashcards, timelines, and real-life examples to make content stick.
Provide Study Tools and Language Support
Offer printouts of the practice test and recommend reputable civics resources.
For ESL students, clarify complex legal/political terms and historical references.
Build Confidence and Familiarity
Simulate test-like conditions during practice sessions.
Reassure students that the test is passable with preparation, and they can retake it if needed.
Do start each session by asking if the student knows their FCLE status.
Do walk students through where and how to access MDConnect and the Test Entry Request Form.
Do tailor sessions to a student’s weak content areas.
Do share the printable FCLE practice test and other resources.
Do connect content to current events or modern examples to increase understanding.
Don’t assume every student knows they’re required to take the FCLE.
Don’t treat the practice test like a guaranteed predictor of success.
Don’t skip reviewing core foundational topics even if a student has general civic knowledge.
Don’t overdo rote memorization—encourage reasoning and understanding.