ACCESS for ELLs

The purpose of the ELLs is administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.

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.

What does this test consist of?
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

When is this test given? 

Historically, February - April 

Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here) 

How is this test given? Paper-Based Assessment

Benchmark Assessments

Purpose: PCSS benchmark assessments are used throughout the school year to check students’ mastery of academic standards.  Our benchmark assessments are TNReady aligned and provide valuable data that informs instruction.  Benchmark assessments also assist with instructional unit alignment (across grade levels and schools).  

Length of Assessment: Varied

iReady

Who we test:
Grades K - 8 = iReady Math 
Grades 4 - 8 = iReady Reading

How is test given? iReady = Online 

What is iReady?
The purpose of i-Ready is to provide personalized instruction and support the needs of all learners.

The  i-Ready Diagnostic  is  a test  designed  to  help teachers support each student and create a path of personalized  instruction  for every learner.  The  adaptive  test adjusts its questions to suit each student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question.  

For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions.   Students  will find the test difficult, but that is OK. Think of it like a vision test:  the blurry letters and incorrect answers help the eye doctor find the correct glasses for you.   The i-Ready Diagnostic gets harder until a student answers an item incorrectly and then narrows in on exactly where a student needs support. 

Source: https://www.curriculumassociates.com/support/faq/i-ready

Parent Resources: iReady Family Center 

TCAP: Grades 5-8 Assessment

The purpose of 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.

When are tests given?
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here) 

How are students tested? 
Grades 3 - 5 = Paper-Based testing 
Grades 6 - 8 = Online (Beginning Spring 2023)

Results to Parents / Students: 
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.

TCAP Alternative Assessment/MSSA

The purpose of these two assessments: 

MSAA: 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. 

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

TCAP-Alt: 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.

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

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

Format: 
MSAA is administered online by the teacher.
TCAP-Alt is administered via paper by the teacher.

AP Exams

AP Exam Sign on

ACCESS for ELLs

The purpose of the ELLs is administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.

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.

What does this test consist of?
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

When is this test given? 

Historically, February - April 

How is this test given? Paper-Based Assessment

ACT

What does the ACT consist of?

English: 45 minutes (Approximately)

Math: 60 minutes (Approximately)

Reading: 35 minutes (Approximately)

Science: 35 minutes (Approximately)

How is the ACT taken? Online (Beginning Spring 2023)

Parent Resources / Additional Information: 

https://www.act.org

College and Career Planning 

ACT Test Tips

ACT Student and Parent 

Benchmark Assessment

Purpose: PCSS benchmark assessments are used throughout the school year to check students’ mastery of academic standards.  Our benchmark assessments are TNReady aligned and provide valuable data that informs instruction.  Benchmark assessments also assist with instructional unit alignment (across grade levels and schools).  

Length of Assessment: Varied

EOC: 9-12 Assessments

What is the TCAP EOC (End of Course) Assessment? EOC 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.

Purpose: 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.

When does EOC testing take place?
Fall (EOC): Administered to those students enrolled in “semester long” qualifying courses.

Spring (EOC): TBD

Format: 

Results to Parents / Students: 
Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of the 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's 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.

NAEP

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.

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.

https://www.tn.gov/education/districts/lea-operations/assessment/testing-overview.html

Length of Assessment: 60–90 minutes

Results to Parents / Students: Student-level results are not provided.

Parent Resources / Additional Information: 

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.

TCAP Alternative Assessment/MSSA

The purpose of these two assessments: 

MSAA: 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. 

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

TCAP-Alt: 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.

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

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

Format: 
MSAA is administered online by the teacher.
TCAP-Alt is administered via paper by the teacher.