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Assessment » Assessment Types and Definitions

Assessment Types and Definitions

For specific testing dates, refer to our district testing calendar, which will ensure you have the latest information available.  The information below has many links to the original source of the content.

ACT is a state requirement for graduation and a national college readiness assessment given starting in 11th grade, with a retake option for seniors. Results are provided by ACT approximately three to eight weeks after administration of the assessment.  Use this link to the state College Readiness Testing site and this link to our district testing calendar.

AP (Advanced Placement) exams are offered to students enrolled in AP courses in grades 9-12 and provide an opportunity for college or university credit and/or advanced placement upon obtaining a predetermined score.  College Board shares scores with test takers in July, after taking the assessment is given in May. 

 

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is given to randomly selected students in grades 4, 8, and 12 to represent what students across the United States know and can do in various subject areas.  We are informed annually if any of our schools/students will test and the testing date is typically in January or February.  No individual student results are returned to the school or student. 

 

WIDA is a state required English Language test used to evaluate English proficiency to English Learners in all grades. Results of this assessment are shared with families at the beginning of the new school year once they have been released. The state testing window is noted on our  district testing calendar, and the testing date (within the state window) for each individual student is determined by the school and test administrator. 

 

TNReady is a part of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) and is designed to assess true student understanding, not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. We use these tests to assess what our students know and what we can do to help them succeed in the future.

 

EOC (End of Course) is a state required assessment given to students in grades 9-12 enrolled in EOC courses.  These tests fall under the TNReady umbrella. High school students on a block schedule are assessed in Fall or Spring, depending on when they take the applicable class.  These subject level assessments are used to measure student mastery and growth in state tested subjects over the course of the block.  Quick scores are used to help calculate final grades for report cards and are typically available before the end of the school year.  Individual Student Reports (ISRs) are released to families in the new school year when they become available. Specific dates for these assessments can be found on our district testing calendar.

  • TCAP 3-8 is a state required assessment given to students in grades 3-8 and used to measure student mastery and growth in reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  These tests fall under the TNReady umbrella and are given at the end of the school year during the specific window defined by the state. Individual Student Reports (ISR's) are released to families at the beginning of the new school year when they are available. Links to individual subject areas are listed below:
 
 

Alternate Assessments

    • MSAA (Multi-State Alternative Assessment) and TCAP-Alternate are state required alternative assessments administered to students with physical or cognitive disabilities in a way that allows them to answer test questions and participate in the test as independently as possible.  Results are shared with families at the beginning of the new school year.