STATE AND DISTRICT

TESTING
CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL

THURSDAY, JAN 7, 2016

TEACHING AND LEARNING CYCLE

State
Standards

Formative
&
Summativ
e

Scope and
Sequence

Lesson
Plans

TWO ASSESSMENT TYPES

Formative
Assessment

Summative
Assessment

Provides feedback
while learning is taking
place

Evaluates upon
completion of the
learning process

Standardized tests can be formative,

summative, or both!

STANDARDIZED TESTS IN WCS

Assessment

Test Names

Required by
State?

How We Use
Results

TCAP

TNReady
Achievement
End-of-Course

Yes

Summative

District
Benchmark
Tests

MICA
TNReady
Practice
Skyward

No

Formative

Universal
Screening

STAR

Yes
(WCS chose
STAR)

Formative

College
Readiness
Diagnostics

Explore
Plan
ACT

Yes

Formative &
Summative

TEST TIMES IN WCS

Grade Band

Total Hours of
Testing Time

Percent of
Instruction Time

K2

13.5

0.4%

35

72.5

2.1%

68

77.3

2.3%

9 12

103.3

2.3%

Times include TCAP assessments, district tests,

universal screening, and college readiness
diagnostics.

State Assessment Overview

Williamson County
January 7, 2016

Tennessee State Assessment Program

TCAP

Note: Optional SAT-10 assessment offered for grades K2 and universal screener required for RTI2 in grades 3-8

TNReady is an Improved and

Engaging TCAP test
TNReady is the new and improved TCAP test in math and
English language arts (ELA) for grades 3-11.
Designed to assess true student understanding, critical thinking,
and problem-solving abilities, not just basic memorization and testtaking skills.

It will be given in two parts. However, the time students

spend testing will be similar to last year.
Part I will be given in February/March.
Part II will be given in April/May.

The test will be given online; its the way of our world.
It will include questions that are interactive; open-ended;
evidence-based; selected response; multiple choice

www.TNReady.g

The Best Test Prep Is Good Teaching

The best preparation for TNReady will be strong
instruction every day.
This isnt a test you can game.

The test is designed to mirror how students are learning in

the classroom.
Parents, students, and teacher have access to practice tools
online now.
Because they are online, parents and teachers can access them
anywhere- school, home, the library, etc.

The practice tools have the same functionality as the test

platform.
Students can get familiar with the format now.

www.TNReady.g

Testing Time Comparison

Students will
spend a similar
amount of time
taking staterequired tests
as they have in
the prior year.

Student Time on Task for TCAP

Assessments

Better Information for Parents

Parents will receive more and better information on their
students performance.
Student reports will be sent to parents in fall 2016.
The new reports are designed to do three things:

Better Information for Parents

Parents across the state will provide feedback on the format
of the new reports.
Parents, teachers, and principals have shared what type of
reporting provides them the best information.
The department is using those reports as a model.

Performance levels like proficient and below basic will be

renamed.
With the help of parent input, we are selecting new names that
express students progress toward being ready for success after
graduation.

Assessment Task Force Goals &

Members
Tennessee Task Force on Student Testing and Assessment
goals:
identify and study best practices in student assessment,
ensure local school districts and the state are appropriately using
assessments to improve student achievement, and
better inform stakeholders about the state assessment program.

The task force comprised of 18 educators, parents,

students, legislators, and education leaders from across
the state
Formulated recommendations based on six months of discussion,
research, and listening to parent and teacher feedback.

17

Assessment Task Force Final Report

16 Recommendations
The task forces work and
recommendations focused on
four key areas of assessment:
1. Reducing unnecessary or
redundant student tests.
2. Ensuring transparency in testing.
3. Aligning tests to postsecondary and
workforce expectations.
4. Supporting districts around test
scheduling and logistics
18

Assessment Task Force Key

Recommendations
Recommendations include multiple strategies to help reduce
unnecessary or redundant tests, including:
Elimination of the optional kindergarten and first-grade annual
standardized tests;
Elimination of the mandatory EXPLORE (8th grade) and PLAN (10th
grade) tests;
Continued requirement of the ACT or SAT for 11th grade students, but
not the adoption of ACTs new alternative ASPIRE tests or SATs
companion tests.

The task force also recommended that test items from the
TCAP be released to students, parents, and educators in
order to provide better information and more
transparency on student understanding and performance.
19

Districts and schools in Tennessee will

exemplify excellence and equity such
that all students are equipped with
the knowledge and skills to
successfully embark on their chosen
path in life.
Excellence | Optimism | Judgment | Courage | Teamwork

SURVEY SNAPSHOT
WCS TEACHER SURVEY ON ASSESSMENT

Do you find value in the districts formative benchmark initiatives for your content area?
Do you find value in the districts formative benchmark initiatives for your content area?

35%
65%

Ye
s

Do you find value in either of the two universal screening tests, regardless of your content area?
Do you find value in the districts formative benchmark initiatives for your content area?
16%

21%
64%

Yes
No
Unfamili
ar

On average, how many minutes per week do you spend with your students learning test taking strategies or taking practice tests?

53%

than 30formative benchmark initiatives for your content area?

Do you find value inLess
the districts
Between 30
and 60
Between 60
and 90
More than 90
0%

34%
10%
4%
20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Subject Area Teachers Preferences on the

Frequency of Summative TCAP Testing

Grades 3-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

Every other
year

Annually

Once in 9-12

Annually

Annually

Once in 9-12

Science

Once in 3-5

Once in 6-8

Once in 9-12

Social
Studies

Once in 3-5

Annually

No testing

ELA
Math

Do you find value in the districts formative benchmark initiatives for your content area?