School Level Assessment Literacy Basics

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School LevelAssessment Literacy Basics

• Tennessee Department of Education
• Assessment, Evaluation and Research
• Freddie Summers, Associate Director of Assessment
  Support
• Marcy Tidwell, Associate Director of Assessment
  Literacy

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TCAP Achievement Test CRT Scale Scores

• Scale Scores are used to establish cut-points for
  Proficient and Advanced Performance Levels
• Reading and Mathematics CRT Scale Scores
• Vertical (0-999 range)
• Scores can be compared across grade levels within
  a content area (longitudinal)
• Science and Social Studies CRT Scale Scores
• Horizontal (Lowest Observed Score and Highest
• Observed Score determine range)

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Norm-Referenced Tests (NRT) and
Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) Items

• The TCAP Achievement Test in grades K-2 are
  norm-referenced test items
• Norm-Referenced items compare the achievement
  of Tennessee students with the performance of
  students from across the nation. These items are
  aligned with objectives designed to measure
  concepts, processes, and skills taught throughout
  the nation.
• The TCAP Achievement Test in grades 3-8 are
  criterion-referenced test items
• Criterion-Referenced items measure a
  student's performance according to specific
  standards, rather than to the performance of
  other test takers. These items are directly
  aligned with the Tennessee Content Standards and
  State Performance Indicators.

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Reporting Category Performance Index (RCPI)
The estimated number of items a student would be
expected to answer correctly had there been 100
similar items for that Reporting Category.

• Mathematics
• Number Sense/Theory
• Computation
• Algebraic Thinking
• Real World Problem Solving
• Data Analysis and Probability
• Measurement
• Geometry

• Science
• Structure and function of Organisms
• Ecology
• Life Cycles and Biological Change
• Space, Weather, and Climate
• Earths Features and Resources
• Motion and Forces
• Matter

State Performance Indicators (SPIs) are
categorized under each Reporting
Category.
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Caution About Disaggregation

• N or n-counts are the number of observations
  (scores) included in the data
• Smaller n-counts mean the data is less reliable
• Outliers have more impact on smaller n-counts
• Grandpa goes to kindergarten
• Percentages dont show n-counts
• 100 proficiency for 1 student

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TCAP Reporting Categories

• Mathematics Reporting Categories
• Number Sense/Theory
• Computation
• Algebraic Thinking
• Real World Problem Solving
• Data Analysis and Probability
• Measurement
• Geometry

• Real World Problem Solving
• Grade 6
• State Performance Indicator (SPI)
• 6.1.2 Solve one-step real-world problems
  involving whole numbers and decimals.
• 6.2.5 Extend rate charts to solve real-world
  problems.
• 6.4.2 Solve real-world problems involving elapsed
  time.
• 6.4.6 Use scales to read maps.
• 6.4.7 Solve real-world problems involving
  perimeter and area of rectangles.
• 6.5.2 Interpret bar and line graphs to answer
  questions and solve real-world problems.

State Performance Indicators (SPIs) are
categorized under each Reporting Category.
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http//state.tn.us/education/assessment
Objectives and Sub-skills for non-mandated grades
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On-line Resources
http//www.tennessee.gov/education/assessment/

• Test Administration Schedule
• Accommodations
• Test Administration Manuals
• Teacher Directions
• Item Samplers
• Testing Times
• Writing Assessment Scoring Guides
• Proficiency Level Cut Score Information
• Reporting Category and State Performance
  Indicator Charts
• Parent and Educator Guides to Understanding Test
  Results

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All grades 3 through 8 in math, reading/language
arts, and writing (grades 5 and 8)High
School in Gateway Mathematics, Gateway Language
Arts, and writing (grade 11)
Science is assessed but not included in AYP
calculations, yet.
Adequate Yearly Progress Proficient and Above
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Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Elementary/
Middle Schools

• To make AYP, elementary/middle schools and LEAs
  must
• Achieve an annual 95 participation rate in the
  required TCAP tests as a whole and for each
  student subgroup and
• Reach AYP objectives in reading/language arts and
  math using standards-based assessments for grades
  3 through 8 as a whole and for each student
  subgroup and
• Reach annual measurable objectives in the
  additional indicator of attendance for all
  students.

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Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)High School

• To make AYP high schools and LEAs must
• Achieve an annual 95 participation rate in the
  required TCAP tests as a whole and for each
  student subgroup and
• Reach AYP objectives in reading/language arts and
  math using starting points (determined from 2003
  data) for the Gateway Language Arts along with
  Writing and Gateway Mathematics as a whole and
  for each student subgroup and
• Reach annual measurable objectives in the
  additional indicator of annual graduation rate
  for all students.

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Please contact us for additional information or
to scheduleAssessment Literacy Training

• Tennessee Department of Education
• Assessment, Evaluation and Research
• 615-741-0720