Fall 2013
Courtney Mills
CogAT/ITBS
Performance Tasks
PASS SC-Alt ELDA
EOCEP
HSAP
o Name: Cognitive Abilities Test & Iowa Test of Basic Skills
o Grades: 2nd
o Subject Areas: Aptitude (verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal), reading, and
math
o Test Dates: October – November
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
The norm-referenced tests (aptitude and achievement) for gifted and talented
screening are administered in the fall of each year to students in grade 2. The
information from the administration of the norm-referenced tests is entered into the
GIFT software program, which identifies students who qualify for the program.
Based on the results from the norm-referenced tests, a secondary screening using
a performance assessment may be required for possible candidates.
o Name: Performance Tasks Assessment, formerly known as Project STAR
o Grades: Typically 2nd, but may include others
o Subject Areas: Verbal and nonverbal
o Test Dates: February – March
o Format: Paper-and-pencil with preteaching and manipulatives
Who is tested?
Students who partially qualify as Gifted and Talented in either Dimension A or
Dimension B, but not both, based on CogAT/ITBS scores, may be given the
Performance Tasks Assessment. This assessment provides a second opportunity
to become identified as Gifted and Talented.
o Name: Palmetto Assessment of State Standards
o Grades: 3-8
o Subject Areas: Writing, English language arts (ELA), mathematics,
science, and social studies
o Test Dates: March (writing) and May (all other subjects)
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
All students in grades 3-8 take the writing, ELA, and mathematics tests.
All students in grades 4 and 7 take both the science and social studies
tests.
Students in grades 3, 5, 6, and 8 are randomly assigned to take either the
science or the social studies test.
o Name: South Carolina Alternate Assessment
o Grades: 3-8 and 10 (typically)
o Subject Areas: ELA, mathematics, science, and social studies
o Test Dates: March - April
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
The SC-Alt is an alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive
disabilities who are assessed against alternate achievement standards as they are
unable to participate in the general assessment program even with
accommodations. The SC-Alt is administered to students who meet the
participation guidelines for alternate assessment and who are ages 8-13 and age
15 as of September 1 of the assessment year. (These are the ages of students who
are typically in grades 3-8 and ten).
o Name: English Language Development Assessment
o Grades: K-12
o Subject Areas: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking
o Test Dates: February - April
o Format: Paper-and-pencil or Online
Who is tested?
All students in grades K-12 who are determined to have limited English proficiency based upon the completion of a Home Language Survey and the initial assessment
of their English proficiency - must take the ELDA each spring. This includes those
students whose parents have waived direct ESOL services.
Students with limited English proficiency must continue to take the ELDA until they
have scored at Level 5, Fully English Proficient. The Level 5 score must be from an
ELDA grades 3-5 or higher test.
o Name: End-of-Course Examination Program
o Grades: 7-12
o Subject Areas: Algebra 1, English 1, US History, and Biology
o Test Dates: January, May, July
o Format: Paper-and-pencil or Online
Who is tested?
All public middle school, high school, alternative school, virtual school, adult
education, and home school students who are enrolled in courses in which the
academic standards corresponding to the EOCEP tests are taught, regardless of
course name or number, must take the appropriate tests.
The examinations count 20 percent of the students’ final grade in each course.
Students must be given a copy of the standards and informed about the test on the
first day of the course.
o Name: High School Assessment Program
o Grades: 9-12 (depending on participation guidelines, see below)
o Subject Areas: English language arts (ELA) and mathematics
o Test Dates: October, April, and July
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
Fall: Students beyond the second year after their initial enrollment in the ninth grade take the test(s)
needed to meet the requirement for a South Carolina high school diploma.
Spring: Students in the second year after their initial enrollment in the ninth grade take both tests.
Students beyond the second year after their initial enrollment in the ninth grade take the test(s) needed to
meet the requirement for a South Carolina high school diploma.
Summer: Following a remediation program in summer school, a summer administration of the HSAP may
be offered to students who have not passed the exit examination and who are planning to graduate before
the beginning of the next school year. All accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities
and students with limited English proficiency available during the spring administration are available for the
summer administration.
NAEP
EXPLORE
 Assessments

Formative
AP
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o
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Name: National Assessment of Educational Progress
Grades: 4, 8, and 12
Subject Areas: 10 subject areas, including math, reading, writing, and science
Test Dates: Oct – Dec (Gr. 8), Jan – Mar (Gr. 4), Mar – May (Gr. 12)
Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
Rather than testing all students, NAEP statisticians carefully select a sample of students to
represent the entire student population. Main NAEP is administered to students in grades
four, eight, and twelve; however, samples for long-term trend are based on age (9, 13, and 17)
rather than grade. Test scores and questionnaire responses are always kept confidential.
Results are never reported for individual students or schools.
For the 2013-14 school year, no schools in our district were selected to participate.
o Name: EXPLORE
o Grade: 8
o Subject Areas: English, Math, Reading, Science
o Test Dates: September-October
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
EXPLORE is an optional test paid for by the state department of education and
published by ACT to measure the skills and knowledge needed for college success.
All 8th grade students are eligible to participate.
The following assessments have been approved by the State Board of Education:
o Blending Assessment with Instruction Program (BAIP-Math)
Published by Computerized Assessment and Learning, LLC
o STAR Reading and STAR Mathematics
Published by Renaissance Learning
o Measures of Academic Progress (MAP-Reading and Mathematics)
Published by Northwest Evaluation Association
Funding Process
For the 2013-14 school year, state funding for formative assessments has been suspended.
Schools will be responsible for ordering and paying for these tests.
o Name: Advanced Placement
o Grades: Typically 11 & 12
o Subject Areas: 31 subjects including Calculus, Biology, & English Lit
o Test Dates: May
o Format: Paper-and-pencil
Who is tested?
Students enrolled in approved Advanced Placement courses may take the exam for
free (with a small refundable deposit). Any student may take any exam for $89.
Virtual schools cannot administer AP exams. Students may take their exams at the
district office or make arrangements with their local high school.

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Ask your School Test Coordinator (STC) for a copy of your
school’s testing calendar
Address as many key standards as possible prior to testing
Request a copy of your students’ test scores from last year
Informally assess your students’ progress throughout the
year, and provide remediation as needed
Rely on the standards, not the textbook
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Must participate in State Testing
All of the following accommodations must correlate:
o Stated in IEP or 504 (Excent)
o Received during regular instruction
o Received during testing
o Coded on answer document
o Coded in PowerSchool
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Standard vs. non-standard (team decision)
Only route to accommodations is IEP or 504
Temporary conditions
Violation requires review by IEP or 504 team
Test Participation
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If a student is enrolled on
the first day of testing, he
or she MUST take the test
The goal is 95%
participation overall and in
every subgroup (gender,
ethnicity, SES, etc.)
Applies to PASS and HSAP
Test Performance
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PASS & HSAP: Students’
scores only count if they
are enrolled continuously
from the 45th day through
the first day of testing
HSAP: Only students in
the 2nd year cohort count
EOC: Every score counts
FEDERAL
ESEA Waiver
o Replaced AYP
o A-F & Numerical Rating
o Released in August
STATE
Report Card
o Absolute and Growth
Ratings
o Excellent
o Good
o Average
o Below Average
o At-Risk
o
Released in November
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The STC should conduct a training prior to every test
administration
State Law and Regulations:
o Available in every Test Administration Manual (TAM)
o Everyone involved in State Testing must read and understand
o Read A-U
o
Test Security Agreement Forms
o Must be submitted to the District Office each year
o
Any suspected violation must be reported to the DTC
Student:
o Invalidation of test scores
Teacher:
o Report to SLED for information or investigation
o Suspended/Revoked Certificate
School:
o Letter of Caution
o Probation
o Revocation
Remember that failing to report a violation is also a violation!
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2013-14: Bridge Year
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PASS (ELA/Math) & HSAP will only include overlap standards
EOCs will address old standards
Practice tests are available at www.smarterbalanced.org
Field testing will be held in the spring
2014-15: Full Implementation of CCSS & SB
o Grades 3-8:
• Smarter Balanced (ELA & Math)
• PASS (Science & Social Studies)
o High School:
• EOC
• HSAP
• Smarter Balanced
Courtney Mills, Director of Accountability
 School

SC Public Charter
District
cmills@sccharter.org