What is TCAP?
TCAP
stands for
Tennessee
Comprehensive
Assessment
Program
What is TCAP?
 The
2014 assessment that
measures student progress on
specific skills compared to peers
across the state
 Used
as 20% of final average for
report card
Who takes TCAP?
All
students in grades 3-8 will
take TCAP
Across Tennessee in all public
schools
When is TCAP?
TCAP
will take place the week
of April 28.
Students will complete 2 tests
per day for 4 consecutive days
It is critical students are
present and on time
Why do we give TCAP?
 To
measure students' skills and
progress in Reading/Language
Arts, Math, Social Studies, and
Science
 Helps teachers know students’
strengths and weaknesses for the
following school year
Things we need from your
child!
Be
on time each day
Get plenty of sleep each night
Eat a healthy breakfast
Have confidence
Try their best
What we need from parents!
 Proctors
(volunteers to help with
test administration)
 Healthy snacks and drinks
 Encouragement letters to your
child or the class
 Support with homework, test
practice, and strategies
Proctors and Snacks
Please
consider volunteering
to help in a classroom
We would like to provide a
snack and drink during the test
break each day
A letter will come home soon
Encouragement Letters
Students
need to hear from
you that they can do succeed!
Please be on the look out for a
letter about this secret
surprise for the students
Homework after Spring Break
TCAP
style practice homework
will be assigned each night
Please REVIEW and discuss the
homework each evening
Sign record sheet
Strategies for Homework Help
 Reading/Language
Arts
Use a highlighter to prove evidence
from the text
 Ask students throughout reading about
the characters, setting, plot, etc.
 UNREAL strategies

Strategies for Homework Help
 Mathematics
Students will be allowed to use a
calculator, half inch ruler,
multiplication table
 Show their thinking/work
 Discuss why it makes sense (Is my
answer reasonable?)

Strategies for Homework Help
 Science/Social
Studies
Read carefully
 Eliminate obvious wrong choices
 Look for clue words (not, all except,
would be, etc.)
 Understand key vocabulary words (i.e.
consumers/producers, government
services, etc.)

Sample Reading Question
Which sentence from the passage best
states the main idea?
F Despite their similarities, horns and
antlers are quite different.
G Horns are permanent parts of an
animal’s head.
H Some animals may use their horns to dig
holes and to scratch their skin.
J Unlike horns, antlers are often branched.

Sample Writing Question
Sample Language Question
Sample Math Question
Sample Science Question
Sample Social Studies
Question
Links for More Information
 Practice

Questions
http://www.tn.gov/education/assessm
ent/ach_samplers.shtml
 Proficiency

Scores
http://www.tn.gov/education/assessm
ent/doc/Spring2013CutsforTCAPAchELSA.pdf
During the test
Students must stay seated
 Only EMERGENCY trips to the restroom
 Cannot work on other activities while
waiting on others to finish
 A break will be taken between the tests
each day
 May not ask the teacher or proctor any
questions

What happens after TCAP?
Math
Constructed Response
Assessment in May

Covers Common Core State Standards
for Mathematics
“Moving
mid May
Up” to
th
4
grade