Elementary Assessments
ACCESS for ELLS
The purpose of the ELLs is administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.
English Learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs to determine language proficiency. ACCESS assesses students in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
What does this test consist of?
The test is self-paced with target administration times for each section of the test as follows:
When is this test given?
Historically, February - April
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here)
How is this test given? Paper-Based Assessment
AimsWeb Plus
Who we test:
Current 3rd Grade Students
Purpose:
The purpose of the Aimsweb assessment is to check students' skill level in areas such as (Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Spelling, etc). Spring percentile results are also used in promotion/retention decisions.
How often is the assessment given?
Students will take the Aimsweb assessment three times a year (Fall, Winter, and Spring).
Benchmark Assessments
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Platform
DIBELS 8th Edition
Who we test: Grades K - 3 = DIBELS
How is test given: DIBELS = Online / Verbal (w/ Test Administrator)
What is DIBELS? DIBELS 8th Edition is a set of short (one minute) fluency measures that can be used for universal screening, benchmark assessment, and progress monitoring in Kindergarten to 8th grade. DIBELS 8th Edition provides educators with standards for gauging the progress of all students.
Source: About Dibels
Learn about the DIBELS benchmark Goals.
Parent Resources:
DIBELS (mClass Home Connect)
What is DIBELS? (Spanish)
iReady
Who we test:
Grades K - 8 = iReady Math
Grades 4 - 8 = iReady Reading
How is test given? iReady = Online
What is iReady?
The purpose of i-Ready is to provide personalized instruction and support the needs of all learners.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is a test designed to help teachers support each student and create a path of personalized instruction for every learner. The adaptive test adjusts its questions to suit each student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question.
For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions. Students will find the test difficult, but that is OK. Think of it like a vision test: the blurry letters and incorrect answers help the eye doctor find the correct glasses for you. The i-Ready Diagnostic gets harder until a student answers an item incorrectly and then narrows in on exactly where a student needs support.
Source: Click here to view iReady
Parent Resources: iReady Family Center
TCAP Grade 2 Alternate Assessment
The purpose of the TCAP Grade 2 Alternate assessment is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grade 2 with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
Length of Assessment: Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Platform
This is a paper-based assessment.
TCAP: Grade 2 Assessment
The TCAP Grade 2 Alternate assessment is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grade 2 with the most significant cognitive disabilities. This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
How do students take this test? Paper-Based Assessment
When is it given?
Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
What is measured on this assessment? The Grade 2 assessment measures student mastery of the Tennessee Academic Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here)
TCAP: Grade 3-4 Assessment
The purpose of the TCAP tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TCAP measures student understanding of our state standards.
When are tests given?
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here)
How are students tested?
Grades 3 - 5 = Paper-Based testing
Results to Parents / Students:
Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of school year. This information may be used to help calculate final grades for report cards. State law requires TCAP scores be included as a percentage of a student’s grade in grades 3–8. Districts do have the flexibility, as provided in state law, to exclude TCAP data from student grades if the data is not available at least five instructional days before the last day for students.
TCAP Alternative Assessment/MSSA
The purpose of these two assessments:
MSAA: The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
TCAP-Alt: TCAP-Alt is the assessment for science and social studies for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students are assessed in grades 3–8 for both science and social studies and in grade 10 for Biology.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
Length of Assessment: Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
Format:
MSAA is administered online by the teacher.
TCAP-Alt is administered via paper by the teacher.
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Listening: Up to 40 minutes
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Reading: Up to 35 minutes
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Speaking: Up to 30 minutes
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Writing Tier A: Up to 45 minutes
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Writing Tiers B/C: Up to 60 minutes
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The English language arts (ELA) assessment uses an integrated format to measure student progress through literary and informational texts requiring students to demonstrate the ability to read closely, analyze text, answer text-dependent questions, provide a written response to a prompt, and demonstrate command of the English language. Additionally, it measures fluency, comprehension, and listening skills.
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The mathematics assessment will focus approximately 70 percent of the assessment items on major work of the grade and approximately 30 percent of the items on supporting and additional work. Student mastery of math fluency, ability to problem solve, and understanding of the grade-level standards will be assessed. Further, students will be assessed on their ability to connect topics across the grade-level domains.
Middle School Assessments
ACCESS for ELLs
The purpose of the ELLs is administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.
English Learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs to determine language proficiency. ACCESS assesses students in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
What does this test consist of?
The test is self-paced with target administration times for each section of the test as follows:
When is this test given?
Historically, February - April
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here)
How is this test given? Paper-Based Assessment
Benchmark Assessments
Purpose: PCSS benchmark assessments are used throughout the school year to check students’ mastery of academic standards. Our benchmark assessments are TNReady aligned and provide valuable data that informs instruction. Benchmark assessments also assist with instructional unit alignment (across grade levels and schools).
Length of Assessment: Varied
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to view Mastery Connect Assessment Form
iReady
Who we test:
Grades K - 8 = iReady Math
Grades 4 - 8 = iReady Reading
How is test given? iReady = Online
What is iReady?
The purpose of i-Ready is to provide personalized instruction and support the needs of all learners.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is a test designed to help teachers support each student and create a path of personalized instruction for every learner. The adaptive test adjusts its questions to suit each student’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question.
For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions. Students will find the test difficult, but that is OK. Think of it like a vision test: the blurry letters and incorrect answers help the eye doctor find the correct glasses for you. The i-Ready Diagnostic gets harder until a student answers an item incorrectly and then narrows in on exactly where a student needs support.
Source: Click here to visit iReady
Parent Resources: iReady Family Center
TCAP: Grades 5-8 Assessment
The purpose of the TCAP tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TCAP measures student understanding of our state standards.
When are tests given?
Current PCSS Assessment Windows (Click Here)
How are students tested?
Grades 3 - 5 = Paper-Based testing
Grades 6 - 8 = Online (Beginning Spring 2023)
Results to Parents / Students:
Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of school year. This information may be used to help calculate final grades for report cards. State law requires TCAP scores be included as a percentage of a student’s grade in grades 3–8. Districts do have the flexibility, as provided in state law, to exclude TCAP data from student grades if the data is not available at least five instructional days before the last day for students.
TCAP Alternative Assessment/MSSA
The purpose of these two assessments:
MSAA: The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
TCAP-Alt: TCAP-Alt is the assessment for science and social studies for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students are assessed in grades 3–8 for both science and social studies and in grade 10 for Biology.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
Length of Assessment: Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Form
Format:
MSAA is administered online by the teacher.
TCAP-Alt is administered via paper by the teacher.
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Listening: Up to 40 minutes
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Reading: Up to 35 minutes
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Speaking: Up to 30 minutes
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Writing Tier A: Up to 45 minutes
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Writing Tiers B/C: Up to 60 minutes
High School Assessments
AP Exams
AP Exam Sign on
ACCESS for ELLs
The purpose of the ELLs is administered to English Learners to evaluate English proficiency.
English Learners will take the ACCESS for ELLs to determine language proficiency. ACCESS assesses students in the four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
What does this test consist of?
The test is self-paced with target administration times for each section of the test as follows:
-
Listening: Up to 40 minutes
-
Reading: Up to 35 minutes
-
Speaking: Up to 30 minutes
-
Writing Tier A: Up to 45 minutes
-
Writing Tiers B/C: Up to 60 minutes
When is this test given?
Historically, February - April
How is this test given? Paper-Based Assessment
ACT
What does the ACT consist of?
English: 45 minutes (Approximately)
Math: 60 minutes (Approximately)
Reading: 35 minutes (Approximately)
Science: 35 minutes (Approximately)
How is the ACT taken? Online (Beginning Spring 2023)
Parent Resources / Additional Information:
ACT
College and Career Planning
ACT Test Tips
ACT Student and Parent
Benchmark Assessment
Purpose: PCSS benchmark assessments are used throughout the school year to check students’ mastery of academic standards. Our benchmark assessments are TNReady aligned and provide valuable data that informs instruction. Benchmark assessments also assist with instructional unit alignment (across grade levels and schools).
Length of Assessment: Varied
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Form
EOC: 9-12 Assessments
What is the TCAP EOC (End of Course) Assessment? EOC tests are designed to assess true student understanding and not just basic memorization and test-taking skills. TCAP measures student understanding of our state standards. TCAP EOC assessments are given to help measure how much a student grows academically in a particular content area.
Purpose: Each subject-area test is divided into multiple subparts and will be administered during one testing window at the end of the course.
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English I and English II (4 subparts) assess the Tennessee Academic Standards through literary and informational texts requiring students to demonstrate the ability to read closely, analyze text, answer text-dependent questions, provide a written response to a prompt, and demonstrate command of the English language.
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Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Integrated Math I, Integrated Math II and Integrated Math III (3 subparts) will consist of both calculator permitted and calculator prohibited subparts. Each assesses the Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics, fluency, problem solving, and an understanding of the grade-level horizontal coherence embedded within the standards. The mathematics test will focus approximately 60 percent of the assessment items on major work of the grade and approximately 40 percent of the items on supporting work.
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Biology will assess current Tennessee Academic Standards requiring students to demonstrate a deep understanding of scientific inquiry, engineering and technology as related to the scientific concepts in the course.
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U.S. History and Geography (2 subparts) will consist of multiple choice and multiple select items. Students will be assessed on the current Tennessee Academic Standards and be required to demonstrate a deep understanding of civics, economics, geography, and Tennessee connections within the context of U.S. History.
When does EOC testing take place?
Fall (EOC): Administered to those students enrolled in “semester long” qualifying courses.
Spring (EOC): TBD
Format:
Results to Parents / Students:
Raw data is provided to districts at the very end of the school year (districts will receive fall block data at the very end of the first semester). This information may be used to help calculate final grades for report cards.
State board policy requires TCAP scores be included as a percentage of a high school student's end-of-course grades. Districts do have the flexibility, as provided in policy, to exclude TCAP data from student grades if the data is not available at least five instructional days before the last day for students.
NAEP
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Assessments are conducted periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and in Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL). In 2017, NAEP began administering digitally based assessments (DBA) for mathematics, reading, and writing, with additional subjects to be added in 2018 and 2019. Only a small sample of Tennessee fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders will take this test. The representative sample group is chosen by NAEP each year. NAEP alternates sample sizes every other year, with even-year assessments being a national sample, and odd-year assessments being state samples.
NAEP assessments are administered uniformly using the same sets of test booklets across the nation. NAEP results serve as a common metric for all states and selected urban districts. The assessment stays essentially the same from year to year, with only carefully documented changes. This permits NAEP to provide a clear picture of student academic progress over time. In even-numbered years, NAEP measures Tennessee student’s academic achievement against students in other states also taking this test.
Click here to visit Testing Overview
Length of Assessment: 60–90 minutes
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Form
Results to Parents / Students: Student-level results are not provided.
Parent Resources / Additional Information:
Administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, which requires the state to participate in the biennial state academic assessments of fourth and eighth grade reading and mathematics. Districts that receive Title I funds are required to participate.
TCAP Alternative Assessment/MSSA
The purpose of these two assessments:
MSAA: The Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is the English language arts and math assessment for students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
TCAP-Alt: TCAP-Alt is the assessment for science and social studies for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students are assessed in grades 3–8 for both science and social studies and in grade 10 for Biology.
This test is given to help measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year.
Length of Assessment: Students are given the assessment during class time throughout the window based on student needs and class schedules.
Select Putnam County Schools utilize the assessment platform "Mastery Connect" to benchmark students throughout the year. Students will take quarterly benchmark assessments in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teachers may offer additional classroom assessments to monitor students' progress throughout the school year. Teachers and administration use benchmark "predictive" data to make instructional decisions and to inform of any needed student supports.
To learn more about the Mastery Connect assessment platform, please click the link below.
Click here to visit Mastery Connect Assessment Form
Format:
MSAA is administered online by the teacher.
TCAP-Alt is administered via paper by the teacher.
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