Throughout the school year several assessments are administered to students to determine academic progress and performance. Information gained from student testing is also used to communicate student, school, and school system performance and to guide improvements in our curriculum and instruction.
Assessments required by our school system:
• Brigance Screening
The Brigance Screening measures developmental and early academic skills. The Brigance Kindergarten Screening is given to students in the summer prior to entering kindergarten.
• Reading Textbook Assessments
In 2007 our school system adopted the Scott Foresman reading series for grades kindergarten - five. Currently, our system requires teachers in kindergarten - second grades to administer the baseline test to all students at the beginning of school year and administer three unit tests throughout the year. The purpose of the testing is to determine if students have acquired the reading skills that have been taught.
• STAR Early Literacy
STAR Early Literacy is a web-based software program that screens early reading skills and monitors student and class progress. Students in kindergarten - 2nd grades are given the STAR Early Literacy screening at the end of each nine-week grading period and the parent report is sent home with the report card each nine weeks.
• STAR Reading and STAR Math
Students take the STAR Reading and STAR Math assessments on the computer at the end of each nine weeks. The assessment results determine reading and math levels of each student and measures individual and class growth. Parents receive STAR reading and math reports at the end of each nine weeks with their child's report card.
• Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is a software program that allows students in kindergarten - eighth grades to read a book on their reading level and take a quiz on the book. With assistance from students, language arts teachers set student goals for each nine weeks and student progress toward their goals are communicated to parents each nine weeks.
• Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Grades Local Writing Assessment
Each spring students in fourth, seventh, and tenth grades are required to participate in a local writing assessment. The local writing assessment provides teachers with information to prepare students for the state writing assessments which are given in the fifth, eighth, and eleventh grades. On the local writing assessment students are asked to write a response to an assigned writing prompt. Fourth grade students are asked to write a narrative (a story), seventh graders write an expository essay (an explanation), and tenth grade students complete a persuasive paper (an argument). The local writing assessments are scored by our school system language arts teachers.
Assessments required by the State Department of Education:
• TCAP Achievement Testing
Students in grades 3-8 take the TCAP achievement test each spring. The test is a timed, multiple choice assessment that measures student acquisition of skills in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition, the Greeneville City Schools administers the second grade reading and math TCAP subtests to all second grade students.
• TCAP Writing Assessment
The Writing Assessment is given to all fifth, eighth, and eleventh grade students in February. The Writing Assessment requires students to write an essay in response to an assigned prompt within a time limit. Fifth grade students are asked to write a narrative essay (a story), eighth grade students write an expository essay (an explanation), and eleventh grade students write a persuasive essay (an argument). The writing assessments are scored through the State Department using an established rubric, and the writing assessment results are sent to our school system in the spring.
• Gateway and End-of-Course
TCAP Assessments for high school students include the Gateway and End-of-Course tests. Students must successfully complete the Gateway exams, which are given three times annually, to earn a regular high school diploma. Gateway exams are given in Math (Algebra I and Math for Tech II), Language Arts (English II), and Science (Biology I or Biology of Tech II). End-of-Course exams are given in Math Foundations II, English I, US History, and Physical Science within the last ten days of the course.
National Assessments administered in our school system:
• Explore
The Explore is administered in the fall semester to all eighth students. It is designed to help them explore a broad range of options for their future and assist in educational and career planning.
• PLAN
All tenth grade students will be given the PLAN assessment in November. The Plan helps sophomore students build a solid foundation for future academic and career success and serves as a predictor of success on the ACT. It is also a predictor of college readiness.
• ACT
The ACT assesses high school students' general educational development and ability to complete college-level work. It is a standardized, multiple choice test that may be taken by sophomores, juniors, and seniors for college admission. The test measures English, reading, math, and science. Students may pick up an ACT packet from the GHS guidance office to register.
• PSAT
The PSAT is a standardized test given in October that provides firsthand practice for the SAT and also gives students a choice to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporations Scholarship programs. College-bound students in tenth and eleventh grades may choose to take the test. The test measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.
• SAT
The SAT Test is a standardized test that may be taken by juniors and seniors for college admission. It is a multiple choice test that consists of three major sections: critical reading, mathematics, and writing. The SAT is given regionally seven times a year. Students may go online to collegeboard.com to register and see locations.
• Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced Placement Exams are administered in the spring at the conclusion of each AP course. The course will count for college credit at participating universities if a student scores a 3 or better on the exam. Students must take the AP exam at the conclusion of each AP course in order to receive the SP designation for the course on their transcripts. Students are required to pre-register and pay for cost. Some of the costs can be reimbursed based on their test score.
