Overview of Testing in Tennessee

Overview:

Each subject-area test is divided into multiple subparts and will be administered during one testing window at the end of the school year.

• English language arts (4 subparts) will assess the Tennessee Academic Standards through literary and informational texts requiring students to demonstrate the ability to read closely, analyze text, answer text-dependent questions, provide a written response to a prompt, and demonstrate command of the English language.
  
• Mathematics (3 subparts) will consist of both calculator permitted and calculator prohibited subparts. It assesses the Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics, number sense, fluency, problem solving and an understanding of the grade-level horizontal coherence embedded within the standards. The mathematics test will focus approximately 70 percent of the assessment items on major work of the grade and approximately 30 percent of the items on supporting work.
• Science (1 subpart in grades 3-8) will assess the current Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep conceptual understanding of scientific concepts in Life Science, Earth and Space Science and Physical Science. Please note science will be a field test in the 2018-19 school year. There are no score reports available for individual students.
• Social studies (2 subparts in grades 6-8) will assess the current Tennessee Academic Standards for social studies requiring students to demonstrate historical awareness, geographical understanding and the ability to analyze primary source documents.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and T.C.A. § 49-1-602 pertaining to district and school accountability. Modified assessments in Braille and large print are also provided in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990.

Purpose & Use:

The TCAP tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TCAP measures student understanding of our state standards.

Administration Window:

Districts may select a more specific testing window within the state’s testing window of April 13 through May 8. However, ELA subpart 1, which includes a written response, must be administered in the first week of the administration window.

Length of Assessment

For information on the length of each assessment, please see the Testing Times by Grade/Subject page.

Results to Districts:

Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of school year. This information may be used to help calculate final grades for report cards. State law requires TCAP scores be included as a percentage of a student’s grade in grades 3–8. Districts do have the flexibility, as provided in state law, to exclude TCAP data from student grades if the data is not available at least five instructional days before the last day for students.

Results to Parents & Students:

Score reports from the 2018-19 school year for grades 3-8 will be provided to districts in summer 2019 to distribute to parents.

Overview:

Each subject-area test is divided into multiple subparts and will be administered during one testing window at the end of the course.

• English I and English II (4 subparts) assess the Tennessee Academic Standards through literary and informational texts requiring students to demonstrate the ability to read closely, analyze text, answer text-dependent questions, provide a written response to a prompt, and demonstrate command of the English language.
• Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II and Integrated Math III (3 subparts) will consist of both calculator permitted and calculator prohibited subparts. Each assesses the Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics, fluency, problem solving, and an understanding of the grade-level horizontal coherence embedded within the standards. The mathematics test will focus approximately 60 percent of the assessment items on major work of the grade and approximately 40 percent of the items on supporting work.
• Biology will assess current Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep understanding of scientific inquiry, engineering and technology as related to the scientific concepts in the course.
• U.S. History and Geography (2 subparts) will consist of multiple choice and multiple select items. Students will be assessed on the current Tennessee Academic Standards and be required to demonstrate a deep understanding of civics, economics, geography, and Tennessee connections within the context of U.S. History.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and T.C.A. § 49-1-602 pertaining to district and school accountability. Modified assessments in Braille and large print are also provided in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990.

Purpose & Use:

The TCAP tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TCAP measures student understanding of our state standards. TCAP EOC assessments are given to help measure how much a student grows academically in a particular content area.

Administration Window:

Districts may select a more specific testing window within the state’s testing window of December 2 through December 19 for fall block schedule and April 13 through May 8 for spring block and traditional schedules. Subpart 1 of the English language arts and U.S. History/Geography assessments, which include written responses, must be administered the first week of the administration window.

Length of Assessment

For information on the length of each assessment, please see the Testing Times by Grade/Subject page.

Results to Districts:

Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of school year (districts will receive fall block data at the very end of the first semester). This information may be used to help calculate final grades for report cards. State board policy requires TCAP scores be included as a percentage of a high school student’ end-of-course grades. Districts do have the flexibility, as provided in policy, to exclude TCAP data from student grades if the data is not available at least five instructional days before the last day for students.

Results to Parents & Students:

Score reports from Spring 2019 for End of Course will be provided to districts in summer 2019 to distribute to parents.

Overview:

The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 with the most significant cognitive disabilities. MSAA is administered online by the teacher.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

The development of alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities is authorized under a department regulation (34 C.F.R. Part 200) published on December 9, 2003, and T.C.A § 49-1-612. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title I require inclusion of all students with disabilities in the state assessment system.

Purpose & Use:

This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.

Administration Window:

March 16–May 1

Length of Assessment:

Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.

Results to Districts:

Districts receive individual performance reports which detail student performance in early summer.

Results to Parents & Students:

Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.

Overview:

TCAP-Alt is the assessment for science and social studies for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students are assessed in grades 3–8 for both science and social studies and in grade 10 for Biology. TCAP-Alt is administrated via paper by the teacher.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

The development of alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities is authorized under a department regulation (34 C.F.R. Part 200) published on December 9, 2003, and T.C.A § 49-1-612. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title I require inclusion of all students with disabilities in the state assessment system.

Purpose & Use:

This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.

Administration Window:

March 16–May 8

Length of Assessment:

Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.

Results to Districts:

Districts receive individual performance reports which detail student performance in early summer.

Results to Parents & Students:

Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.

Overview:

English Learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs to determine language proficiency. ACCESS assesses students in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

Purpose & Use:

Administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.

Administration Window:

February 20–April 6

Length of Assessment:

The test is self-paced with target administration times for each section of the test as follows:

• Listening: Up to 40 minutes
• Reading: Up to 35 minutes
• Speaking: Up to 30 minutes
• Writing Tier A: Up to 45 minutes
• Writing Tiers B/C: Up to 60 minutes

Results to Districts:

Districts receive individual performance reports which detail student performance in early summer.

Results to Parents & Students:

Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.

Overview:

Students in Tennessee are required to take a college entrance exam (either the ACT or SAT) in the eleventh grade. This is now a graduation requirement for student seeking a regular or honors diploma. Districts in Tennessee contract with ACT to provide an opportunity to take the ACT at their own school during the school day at no cost to the student.

Required:

Yes

Federal and State Law:

Administered in accordance with T.C.A § 49-6-6001(b).

Purpose & Use:

Our vision for student success in Tennessee is that all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully embark on their chosen path in life. Empowering our students to pursue the education and training that matches their chosen career pathway is essential to this vision. In order to prepare our students with the knowledge and skills valued by both employers and postsecondary educators, the department has set two major strategic goals:

• By 2020, the average composite score on the ACT (or equivalent on the SAT) will be a 21.
• By 2020, the majority of high school graduates will be on track to receive a postsecondary degree or credential.

Administration Window:

ACT state testing dates

Paper testing: March 17, March 31, and April 21, 2020

Accommodations (paper): March 17-20, March 23-27, 2020

Online window: March 20-29, 2018 (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only)

SAT

Students may register to take the SAT on the following dates:: August 26, October 7, November 4, and December 2.

Dates in 2018 include: March 10, May 5, and June 2.

Length of Assessment:

ACT:

English: 45 minutes

Math: 60 minutes

Reading: 35 minutes

Science: 35 minutes

SAT:

25-minute essay

Six 25-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)

Two 20-minute sections (mathematics, critical reading and writing)

10-minute multiple choice writing section

Results to Districts:

District receive ACT results 2-3 months after state testing is complete.

Results to Parents & Students:

ACT results are delivered to parents and students 3-8 weeks after the assessment. SAT results are delivered to parents and students

Overview:

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Assessments are conducted periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and in Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL). In 2017, NAEP began administering digitally based assessments (DBA) for mathematics, reading, and writing, with additional subjects to be added in 2018 and 2019. Only a small sample of Tennessee fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders will take this test. The representative sample group is chosen by NAEP each year. NAEP alternates sample sizes every other year, with even-year assessments being a national sample, and odd-year assessments being state samples.

Required:

Yes, NAEP is required for grade 4, 8 and 12 students at selected schools.

Federal and State Law:

Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, which requires the state to participate in the biennial state academic assessments of fourth and eighth grade reading and mathematics. Districts that receive Title I funds are required to participate.

Purpose & Use:

NAEP assessments are administered uniformly using the same sets of test booklets across the nation. NAEP results serve as a common metric for all states and selected urban districts. The assessment stays essentially the same from year to year, with only carefully documented changes. This permits NAEP to provide a clear picture of student academic progress over time. In even-numbered years, NAEP measures Tennessee student’s academic achievement against students in other states also taking this test.

Administration Window:

January 29-March 9, 2018

Length of Assessment:

60–90 minutes

Results to Districts:

District-level results are not provided.

Results to Parents & Students:

Student-level results are not provided.

Overview:

The Grade 2 optional assessment measures student mastery of the Tennessee Academic Standards in English Language Arts and mathematics.

• The English language arts (ELA) assessment uses an integrated format to measure student progress through literary and informational texts requiring students to demonstrate the ability to read closely, analyze text, answer text-dependent questions, provide a written response to a prompt, and demonstrate command of the English language. Additionally, it measures fluency, comprehension, and listening skills.
• The mathematics assessment will focus approximately 70 percent of the assessment items on major work of the grade and approximately 30 percent of the items on supporting and additional work. Student mastery of math fluency, ability to problem solve, and understanding of the grade-level standards will be assessed. Further, students will be assessed on their ability to connect topics across the grade-level domains.

Required:

No

Federal and State Law:

Not applicable; participation is voluntary

Purpose & Use:

This test is given to help measure how much a second grade student grows academically over the course of a school year.

Administration Window:

April 13–May 8

Results to Parents & Students:

Score reports from 2018-19 school year for Grade 2 will be provided to districts in summer 2019 to distribute to parents.

Overview:

The TCAP Grade 2 Alternate assessment is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grade 2 with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The grade 2 Alternate assessment is administered via paper by the teacher.

Required:

No, however if a district opts to administer the TCAP grade 2 Alternate Assessment, they must also administer the grade 2 Alternate Assessment to eligible students.

Federal and State Law:

The development of alternate achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities is authorized under a department regulation (34 C.F.R. Part 200) published on December 9, 2003, and T.C.A § 49-1-612. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title I require inclusion of all students with disabilities in the state assessment system.

Purpose & Use:

This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.

Administration Window:

March 16–May 8

Length of Assessment:

Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.

Results to Districts:

Districts receive individual performance reports which detail student performance in early summer.

Results to Parents & Students:

Districts can choose how and when to share these reports with parents.

Overview:

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a study of classrooms across the country and around the world. TIMSS provides trend data on students' mathematics and science achievement from an international perspective. TIMSS is administered to students in grades 4 and 8 every four years.

Required:

No

Federal and State Law:

Not applicable; participation is voluntary

Purpose & Use:

Through participation in TIMSS, the United States has gained reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of our students compared to that of students in other countries.

Administration Window:

This assessment will not be administered in TN in the 2019-20 school year.

Length of Assessment:

60–90 minutes

Results to Districts:

District-level results are not provided.

Results to Parents & Students:

Student-level results are not provided.

Overview:

The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure trends in computer and information literacy at the eighth-grade level as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction.

Required:

No

Federal and State Law:

Not applicable; participation is voluntary

Purpose & Use:

ICILS provides an opportunity to compare US student skills and experience using technology with that of their peers in other nations, and provides data on factors that may be associated with student computer and information literacy skills.

Administration Window:

This assessment will not be administered in TN in the 2019-20 school year.

Length of Assessment:

60–90 minutes

Results to Districts:

District-level results are not provided.

Results to Parents & Students:

Student-level results are not provided.

Overview:

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that measures 15-year-old students' reading, mathematics, and science literacy every three years.

Required:

No

Federal and State Law:

Not applicable; participation is voluntary

Purpose & Use:

PISA rotates between reading, mathematics, and science in each cycle. PISA also includes measures of general or cross-curricular competencies, such as collaborative problem solving. By design, PISA emphasizes functional skills that students have acquired as they near the end of compulsory schooling.

Administration Window:

This assessment will not be administered in TN in the 2019-20 school year.

Length of Assessment:

2 hours

Results to Districts:

District-level results are not provided.

Results to Parents & Students:

Student-level results are not provided.

Overview:

The International Early Learning and Child Well-being Study is designed to help countries to improve children’s early learning experiences, to better support their development and overall well-being. Literacy, numeracy, executive function, and social skills are assessed among kindergarteners.

Required:

No

Federal and State Law:

Not applicable; participation is voluntary.

Purpose & Use:

The purpose of the Study is to provide countries with a common language and framework, encompassing a collection of robust empirical information and in-depth insights on children’s learning development at a critical age. With this information, countries will be able to share best-practices, working towards the ultimate goal of improving children’s early learning outcomes and overall well-being.

Results to Districts:

District-level results are not provided.

Results to Parents & Students:

Student-level results are not provided.

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