High School Testing
What is it all about?
Variety ~ Something
for everyone
 CMCSS administers a variety of
assessments To our students.
 this ensures that regardless of their
future goals, they are equipped with
valuable information needed to make
intelligent decisions.
Why, What, and When?
CAREER:
Navigator
ASVAB
STATE:
Constructed
Response
TCAP Writing
EOC
LOCAL:
Learning Links
Benchmarks
Semester Exams
COLLEGE
ENTRANCE:
ACT
SAT
COLLEGE
READINESS:
Explore PLAN
PSAT
AP
Local Assessments:
• LEARNING LINKS:
• Learning Links is an online learning readiness that
assesses student’s lexile and quantile levels.
• They are given three times each year in Language Arts
and Mathematics.
• Teachers are able to use the data to know what your
child is ready to learn next in class.
• Scores are often used for intervention.
Local Assessments:
• BENCHMARKS:
• Benchmarks are used to determine if your child is on
track for the standards that have been taught.
• They are given three times each year in academic
courses: English, math, science and social studies.
• Students should strive to score proficient or advanced.
• Scores are often used for student placement and
intervention.
Semester Exams
• Semester exams are given by each teacher in his/her
subject areas
• Exams cover cumulative learning for the full semester
• All students take all exams for Semester 1
• For Semester 2 of full year courses, students earning an
A for N3 and N4 may be exempt from the final exam
Local Assessments
ALL SEMESTER 1 EXAMS and SEMESTER 2
EXAMS WITHOUT AN EOC:
• Each 9-weeks grade counts 40% and the semester exam
counts 20%.
Local Assessments
• SEMESTER 2 EXAMS with an EOC:
• For semester 2 each 9-weeks grade counts 30%, state
End-of-Course test counts 25%, and the semester exam
counts 15%.
Local Assessments
• WHEN EXEMPT FROM SEMESTER 2 EXAMS:
-Courses without a state End-of-Course test:
each 9-weeks grade counts 50%
-Courses with a state End-of-Course test:
each 9-weeks grade counts 37.5 % and the state End-of-Course test counts 25%
State Assessments
END OF COURSE (EOC):
· Students will complete end of course tests when enrolled in the
following courses:
English I, II and III
Algebra I and II
Biology
Chemistry
US History
The test is given during the last month of the course.
There is one test date and one make up date for each EOC test each
year.
State Assessments
CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE (CRA):
· CRA assesses students’ conceptual understanding of the TN Core
Focus Standards, which cover the major work in Algebra I,
Geometry, and Algebra II.
State Assessments
• TCAP WRITING:
TCAP Writing is used to ensure students are
competent writers at 3rd through 9th grades and 11th
grade levels. Testing is now done online
It is of extreme importance to be present and on time
during state testing.
College Readiness
EXPLORE
PLAN
PSAT
Advanced
Placement
• Students who are planning to attend college can take
advantage of a variety of readiness assessments.
College Entrance
Exams
• ACT – given to 11th graders each spring as a Tennessee state
requirement (paid by the state)
• May register at actstudent.org for additional testing on any of
the national test dates.
• SAT – optional for students
• May register at collegeboard.org/
• Colleges use ACT and SAT results in a variety of ways to
include:
• Admissions decisions
• Course placement
• Academic advising
• Scholarships and loans
Career
-Navigator is a state sponsored program that allows
students to learn about their career options and research
college and career choices.
http://www.planningyourdreams.org/
Students begin the Navigator interest assessments in 7th
grade and continue using the program throughout high
school.
-ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is
optional for 11th and 12th grade students interested in
finding careers that match their strengths. This is the
assessment used by military recruiters; however, future
military goals are not required to take the ASVAB.
Timeline
• 8th grade: Learning Links, TCAP Writing, Semester Exams (for select
students taking courses for high school credit), EXPLORE
• 9th grade: Learning Links, Constructed Response, Benchmarks, Navigator,
TCAP Writing, End of Course, Semester Exams
• 10th grade: Learning Links, PLAN or PSAT (for select students),
Constructed Response, Benchmarks, Advanced Placement (for select
students), Navigator, End of Course, Semester Exams
• 11th grade: Learning Links, Constructed Response, Benchmarks, PSAT (To
determine National Merit Scholarship Eligibility), ASVAB, TCAP Writing,
End of Course, Advanced Placement (for select students), Semester Exams
• 12th grade: Additional ACT/SAT if needed, Benchmarks, ASVAB, Semester
Exams, Advanced Placement
SUMMARY
• Testing is an important part of high school education.
• It is essential that both students and parents
understand the variety of tests that are administered
and know how to use those results to guide decision
making about the future.