DECATUR COUNTY SCHOOLS

2016-17 ASSESSMENT CALENDAR

TCAP Achievement Testing

PURPOSE:  The statewide assessment for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. includes grade level tests for students enrolled in Grades 3-8 and End of Course tests for students enrolled in courses aligned to the first three English courses required for high school graduation and the first three mathematics credits required for high school graduation. This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.  Additional information may be found at www.tn.gov/education/section/assessment or at www.tn.gov/education/article/tnready-blueprints for grade level specific testing information.

Online Testing

Tennessee will phase in online administration over multiple years to ensure both state and local technology readiness. For the upcoming school year, the state assessment for grades 3–8 will be administered via paper and pencil. The department will work closely with Questar to provide an online option for high school End of Course exams for math, ELA, and U.S. history if the testing platform demonstrates early proof of successful online administration in schools. Additional information for districts is forthcoming. Even if schools demonstrate readiness for online administration, districts will still have the option to choose paper and pencil assessments for their high school students. Biology and chemistry exams will be administered via paper and pencil.

Field Test

Approximately one-half to one-third of schools and districts will be required to participate in field tests on a rotating basis every two to three years.

2nd Grade Field Test – given to current 3rd graders
September 19th- September 23rd.

TCAP Social Studies Field Test Assessment
Grades 3-8  April 17th- May 5th
TCAP ELA Grades 3-8 Writing Field Test March TBA
TCAP EOC U.S. History/Geography Written Response Field Test March TBA

TCAP ADMINISTRATION WINDOWS

Grade 2: April 24th-May 5th,  

Grades 3-8

SPRING:  April 18th-May 5th

EOC’s Grades 9 –12

FALL:  November 28, 2016-December 16, 2016

SPRING:  April 18th 2017-May 5th 2017

RESULTS TO PARENTS & STUDENTS Quick Score reports, which provide teachers and parents with a snapshot of their student’s performance, are provided to districts by end of school year.  These are used to help calculate final grades for report cards.
Districts receive individual performance reports which summarize student performance in more details in midwinter for tests given in the fall. Districts will receive these reports in early summer for tests given in the spring. Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.
 

Science Assessments

Grades 3-8
PURPOSE & USE - This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.

ADMINISTRATION WINDOW

Spring: April 18 - May 5

Grades 9 –12  (Block Schedule)

Biology I, II, Chemistry I

ADMINISTRATION WINDOW

FALL:
November 28 – December 16

SPRING:
April 18 – May 5
RESULTS TO PARENTS & STUDENTS
High school quick score reports will be available in early January for fall block and by the end of the school year for spring block and traditional schedules. Individual student reports will be mailed in early summer.
Since it is the first year the department will be able to score math and ELA assessments, score reports will not be available for grades 3–8 until fall 2017. In future years, grade 3-8 score reports will be released over the summer, similar to when high school reports will be released in 2017.
For additional information and Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) please visit: http://tn.gov/assets/entities/education/attachments/2016-17_Assessment_FAQ_for_Educators_-_FINAL.PDF

NAEP to be given at Parsons Elementary

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be given to 4th graders at Parsons Elementary March 7th, 2017. Each student selected will be assessed in only one subject writing, math, or reading. The NAPE is the largest continuing and nationally representatice assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in core subjects. The results are released as part of The Nation’s Report Card. For more information about NAEP visit: www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER ASSESSMENT (WIDA)

 PURPOSE & USE - Administered to English Learners to evaluate

English proficiency.
 

ADMINISTRATION WINDOW
March 7 – April 8 (Determined by School)

LENGTH OF ASSESSMENT
To Be Determined

RESULTS TO PARENTS & STUDENTS
To Be Determined

ACT

PURPOSE & USE - These exams are used to measure college readiness and HOPE scholarship eligibility.
All Tennessee students receive one free voucher for either ACT or SAT; requests for vouchers should be at the student’s school.

GRADES   9 - 12

ADMINISTRATION WINDOW
Statewide ACT Assessment 11th Grade Only:   April 19th
Participation in the statewide administration counts as using a voucher.
ACT is optional for grades 9, 10, and 12. Students in 9 – 12 may take the ACT multiple times during the year. These test dates and fees are listed at ACT Registration | Test Dates in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada.

LENGTH OF ASSESSMENT
English: 45 minutes       Math: 60 minutes       Reading: 35 minutes        Science: 35 minutes        Writing: 30 minutes

RESULTS TO PARENTS & STUDENTS
 For ACT, student level reports are provided to student approximately three to eight weeks after the administration of the assessment by ACT.