a listicle for resources/reference; part of a series (TCAP MATH)
1. What is the TCAP?
TCAP stands for Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program. The TCAP serves as the standardized testing program
used in public schools in Tennessee. While Tennessee began annual statewide testing to track student
progress beginning in 1983, the annual test did not become known as the TCAP until
the Tennessee State Board of Education’s commission in 1988.
Four years later, in 1992, The Education
Improvement Act (EIA) made TCAP a state mandated assessment for publically
educated students. In 2008, Tennessee
began making strides to create a more rigorous assessment reflective of
national expectations. Over the next
eight years, grade level and course specific content standards began to make
progressions transitioning from SPI (state performance indicators) to more
rigorous standards. 2015 marked the
first year of a new assessment with different, more rigorous questions.
2. What is the purpose of the TCAP?
TCAP assessments are
intended to reflect what each child has learned in the past year of school. Scores
are returned at the beginning of the next school year to help schools make many
decisions moving forward.
“TCAP assessment shares the same goals we have been working
toward for several years: it is a better, fully aligned assessment that
captures the depth and breadth of what students are learning—and
have been learning—in the classroom every day.” ~Candice McQueen
The information from this assessment provides educators, parents, and students with a big-picture perspective on how they are progressing academically compared to their peers across Tennessee. This transparency also allows stakeholders a window into strengths and growth opportunities for not only individual students, but for teachers, schools, and districts.
Our state tests serve multiple objectives:
- To provide feedback about students' academic progress and how it aligns with grade-level expectations.
- To provide parents and teachers a big-picture perspective about how a student is progressing compared to their peers across the state.
- To provide in window into students' strengths and growth opportunities.
- To build confidence and transparency about students' readiness for college and career.
- To help educators strengthen instruction and reflect on their practices.
- To highlight schools where students are excelling so we can learn from those who are doing well.
- To inform decisions at the state level.
- To help state and district leaders determine how to allocate resources, better invest in schools, and identify where additional support is needed
http://www.tennessee.gov/assets/entities/education/attachments/2016-17_Assessment_FAQ_for_Educators_-_FINAL.PDF
3. What do I call this year’s test?
TCAP continues to serve as the umbrella of which all Tennessee K-12 assessments fall under. This includes high school end of course exams (EOC’s), TNReady assessments for grades 3-8, alternate and ELL assessments for students with special needs or accommodations, and the new Grade 2 assessment.
Although varying assessments have been added, removed, or renamed over the years, TCAP has remained the state’s testing program since 1988. This year’s 3-8 assessments will continue to identified as the TNReady assessment.
4. Who is making this year’s test?
On July 6, 2016, Tennessee
Department of Education Commissioner, Candice McQueen announced the Minneapolis-based
Questar as the primary vendor for the 2016-17 Tennessee Comprehensive
Assessment Program (TDOE, 2016).
Questar is a national leader
in large-scale assessment, currently serving states such as
New York, North Carolina,
Indiana, Missouri, and Mississippi.
During the vendor selection
process, the department surveyed industry leaders in large-scale assessments through
a rigorous vetting process. After researching multiple vendors, the department
determined that Questar has a proven track record of excellence in statewide
testing, administering large-scale assessments via paper and online, and
developing a high-quality test quickly.
This is particularly well suited for Tennessee at this crucial time.
Tennessee has worked alongside
Questar to help reset the conversation on the role of assessments in
Tennessee. The department analyzed feedback
from the state’s Assessment Task Force, educators, families, and students. The new Questar assessments will reflect this
stakeholder feedback, which revealed a desire to not only streamline, but also
reduce testing time. For example, changes include eliminating Part I in all
subjects, restructuring the test to better fit within the school day and year,
and reducing overall testing time. McQueen said, "We believe it is the
right partner to collaborate with as we continue to develop assessments that
are meaningful and measure what our students truly know and understand"
(TDOE, 2016, pp. 1-2).
TDOE. (2016, July). Tennessee Department of Education
issues letter of intent to award statewide testing contract
to Questar.
Retrieved from http://tn.gov/education/news/intent-to-award
5. How long is the test?
Overall, students will spend about 30 percent
less time taking state tests this year. In grades 3-8, TCAP has been shortened
by 200-210 minutes, depending on the grade. Most End of Course assessments have
been reduced by 40-120 minutes.
Additionally, testing logistics and
scheduling will improve. Instead of a Part I and Part II, the test will be
given in a single administration window at the end of the school year. To
minimize the impact on the overall school environment, this window will be one
week shorter than last year. Students will take the test in a series of shorter
subparts, which are often small enough—sometimes as little as 30 minutes—to fit
into the normal school schedule. Below are snapshots from the math assessment
blueprints.
Table 1: Grades (3-5) testing structure:
Table 2: Grades (6-8) testing structure:
Table 3: Grades (9-12) testing structure:
6. What is on the TCAP?
The assessment blueprints
are the best resource to use when determining what to expect on your grade or
course assessment. Assessment blueprints
are available here.
Table 4: Sample blueprint for grades (3-5)
Additional resources,
including sample test questions and resources that will help educators,
parents, and students to become more familiar with the assessment are also available. Practice
tests are available in EdTools, an online platform for educators and district
leaders. Questions on the 2016-17 test will be similar to those students saw
last year.
7. How are TCAP TNReady assessments scored?
The TCAP tests are
standards-based, criterion-referenced tests. Students are measured by how well
they have mastered grade-specific skills, instead of being compared to the
performance of other test takers.
In the past, the Tennessee
TCAP tests report students’ performance in each subject, using the following
four levels:
· Advanced
· Proficient
· Basic
· Below Basic
However, this year’s
assessments results have been renamed. The change came from a desire to
categorize performance, rather than to label a child.
PLDs, or performance level
descriptors, describe the specific knowledge and skills that a student at a
given performance level should be able to demonstrate.
The Updated PLD name for
EOCs and TNReady for grade 3-8 are as follows:
- Level 4: Mastered (Mastered Grade-level) Performance at this level demonstrates that the student has an extensive understanding and expert ability to apply the grade/course level knowledge and skills defined by the Tennessee academic standards.
- Level 3: On-track (On Grade-level) Performance at this level demonstrates that the student has a comprehensive understanding and thorough ability to apply the grade/course level knowledge and skills defined by the Tennessee academic standards.
- Level 2: Approaching (Approaching Grade-level) Performance at this level demonstrates that the student is approaching understanding and has a partial ability to apply the grade/course level knowledge and skills defined by the Tennessee academic standards.
- Level 1: Below (Below Grade-level) Performance at this level demonstrates that the student has a minimal understanding and has a nominal ability to apply the grade/course level knowledge and skills defined by the Tennessee academic standards.
Newly redesigned score reports, which will
provide better information to parents and students, are also being implemented.
8. When are student scores released?
For End of Course exams, the department is
planning for results to be available for families and schools in summer 2017.
Grades 3-8 test results will be on a different timeline.
The scoring results for the new TNReady assessments
in grades 3-8 will be delayed. This is because this is the first year the tests
will be fully administered. Tennessee teachers and the department are accepting
applications (click here)
for the Standards Setting Committee through April 5, 2017. The scoring process will be completed during
the summer 2017 and results for grades 3-8 will be released fall 2017. During
future test administrations, the department will publish results for grades 3-8
and high school on a similar timeline.
9. What accommodations are available for students?
The full range of
accommodations will be available to make the test accessible for all students
to participate. IEP teams will be provided guidance on how to select
appropriate accommodations for this year. The accommodation options will be
similar to last year. For example, no students will not be able to use a
calculator on the non-calculator portion of the math assessments. For detailed accessibility and accommodations information click here.
10. When is the next TCAP TNReady?
Testing window for 2016-17:
· Fall Block: Nov. 28-Dec. 16, 2016
· Traditional and Spring Block: April 15-May 5, 2017
Thus, most schools have around 4 weeks to get ready for the spring assessments.
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I hope today's resources have proved helpful. Tune in next week for Math Specific Resources for your upcoming TNReady
assessment.
What MATH resources are available to help me prepare my students?
Assessment
Blueprints…
Practice Tests…
Sample Integrated Items...
EdTools…
Edutoolbox…
