Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:49 pm

Now that snow days and spring break are over, a new season starts…testing! Starting April 13, 2010 Cannon County students in grades K-8 will participate in the TCAP Achievement Test. Starting May 4, 2010 Cannon County High School will begin TCAP End of Course testing.

We have new curriculum standards so the assessments have been constructed to reflect these changes. When big changes are made in curriculum, test scores may be lower during the implementation phase. Also because of the implementation, expect test scores later than usual as well as the state and district report card release.

What is the TCAP Achievement Test?

The TCAP Achievement test uses multiple choice questions that provide a measure of knowledge and application skills in various subject areas for grades K-8. The results of the TCAP Achievement Test provide valuable information regarding student's progress in Tennessee.

Who will take the TCAP Achievement Test?

The TCAP Achievement test is mandated for all students in grades 3-8. The test is not mandated for grades K-2; however, Cannon County does test this grade span using the Pearson Stanford 10.

What subjects are covered on the test?

The test for K includes reading, language arts, and mathematics.

The test for grade 1 includes reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, word analysis, vocabulary, and math computation.

The test for grade 2 includes reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, word analysis, vocabulary, language mechanics, math computation, and spelling.

The tests for grades 3-8 include reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The tests are broken into segments for students to take over several days.

When will the test be administered to Cannon County students?

Testing for students in K-8 will begin April 13, 2010. The reading/language arts section will be given the first day of testing, math the second, science the third and social studies on the last day. Two days, April 19 and 20 will be used for make-up testing or testing special populations.

What are the accommodations for special populations?

Assessment Accommodations - There are English Language Learner Accommodations, Allowable Accommodations, as well as Special Accommodations available.

How will the scores be used?

The results are provided to teachers and school administrators to help them address the instructional needs of Cannon County students. They may be used as one measure of student achievement during the current school year.

What types of score reports will be generated from the TCAP Achievement Test?

The reports for grades Kindergarten (K) through 2 will provide information comparing the achievement of Tennessee students with the performance of students from across the nation.

The reports for grades 3 through 8 will provide information concerning performance on specific objectives (criterion-referenced) and a description of student performance on academic skills based on the grade span standards (performance levels).

What types of items will be on the test?

The TCAP Achievement Test will include Criterion-Referenced items for all students in grades 3 through 8 in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

What are Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT)?

Criterion-Referenced items measure a student's performance according to specific standards, rather than to the performance of other test takers. These items are directly aligned with the Content Standards and State Performance Indicators. You may find these standards and indicators by following these links.

http://www.state.tn.us/education/curriculum.shtml

http://www.state.tn.us/education/assessment/ach_rpt_cat_spi.shtml

What can parent, teachers, school counselors and administrators do to help prepare students for the test?

During the School Year:

* Communicate any concerns regarding the student's performance immediately.
* Be aware of your school's testing dates and times.
* Ensure that the student completes all homework assignments.
* Parents should set aside a daily study time.
* Discuss the students' school work with him or her regularly.
* Praise the student for hard work and good effort.
* Encourage the student to ask questions at home and in class.
* Convey to the student the importance of a good education.

On the Day of Testing Parent Should:

* Provide a healthy breakfast for your child. Check with your school too. All Cannon County schools serve breakfast.
* Make sure that your child attends school.
* Be sure that your child is at school on time and relaxed.
* Encourage your child to do the best work possible.
* Not cause your child any unnecessary stress regarding the test.

Concordance and Lexile Study

Some schools in Cannon County have been asked by the state department to participate in a Concordance Study that will link the 2009 and 2010 assessments. In addition to the Concordance Study a Lexile Study will also be conducted. The following schools have been asked to participate:

Auburn 8th grade Science

West Side 4th grade Social Studies

Woodbury Grammar 3rd grade Reading Also, 3, 5 and 8 will participate in a Lexile Study

Woodland 3rd grade Science

These extra assessments will occur after the regular scheduled TCAP Achievement test.

High School

High school students will begin testing May 4th. Certain courses have assessments that count as part of the student’s grade. We are in a state wide transition with different requirements for each grade level. It is important for you to stay closely in touch with our high school so you and your student will know specifically which assessments are needed for your student.

AYP EOC Algebra I - May 4, 2010

* AYP EOC English II - May 5, 2010
* AYP EOC Biology I - May 6, 2010
* Make-up Date - May 7, 2010
* EOC US History and English 9-May 10 and 11, 2010

EOC Algebra II Field Test Date - May 11, 2010

If your student is not enrolled in one of these courses but is a sophomore, junior or senior and still needs the Gateway test in English 10, Algebra I, or Biology to graduate, these assessments are now given online. CCHS will notify your student when these assessment dates have been set.

If you need further information about any of the assessments, please contact your student’s teacher or school. You may also contact Marcia Melton, Cannon County Supervisor of Instruction and district testing coordinator at 615-563-5752 EXT 224 or Marcia.Melton@ccstn.com.