Testing/Assessment

Assessment is a key part of the functioning of the Blount County School system. Assessment serves as an individual evaluation system, and as a way to compare performance across both single and multiple years and across student populations.
The purpose of assessment is to gather relevant information about achievement level and/or progress or to determine student understanding of learning to make judgments about their learning process. After receiving this information, teachers can reflect on each student’s level of achievement, as well as on specific inclinations of the group, to customize their teaching plans with learning going forward.

Photo of Donny Anderson

Donny Anderson
Coordinator of Data, Evaluation, and Assessment

 

Assessment Information

Parents and students will be notified by the schools of the results of required tests as soon as possible given the logistics of scoring and distributing scores.

 

Assessment Calendar

 Test Grades
Involved		 Subject(s)
Tested 		 Purpose and
Use of Test		  Test Format Testing Date(s)/
Window 		  Score Return
i-Ready diagnostic and RTI2 universal screener K-8 Reading
Math 		Given to all K-8 students to identify those performing at or above grade level and students needing intervention services.
  • Computer-based
  • multiple-choice items
  • 45-60 minutes in length per subject 

Administered three times yearly:

  • August
  • Nov./Dec.
  • March
  • April/May  (K-2 only)
 No grades are given. Results will be shared with teachers and parents in order to inform instruction and/or support RTI2 activities. 
Math Interim Assessment 6-12 English/ Language Arts
Math
Additional subjects can be assessed at the school's discretion.		 Given to evaluate mastery of subject standards at a school district level relative to the level of mastery determined at the individual student/ classroom level.
  • Computer-based & computer-scored
  • Open response scored items
  • 45-60 minutes in length per subject. 

Administered three times yearly:

  • Sept./Oct.
  • December
  • March
 No grades are given. Student results are used by teachers to inform instructional decisions moving forward. Sharing with students to mark progress is encouraged. 
CommonLit Interim Assessment 6-12 English Given to evaluate mastery of subject standards at a school district level relative to the level of mastery determined at the individual student/ classroom level.
  • Computer-based & computer-scored
  • Open response scored items
  • 45-60 minutes in length

Administered three
times yearly:

  • August
  •  Nov./Dec.
  • Feb./Mar. 
 No grades are given. Student results are used by teachers to inform instructional decisions moving forward. Sharing with students to mark progress is encouraged.
ACT 11 & 12

English Reading
Math
Science

 The ACT assessment provides valuable information regarding student achievement and readiness for postsecondary opportunities.
  • Paper-based
 Class of 2023 Senior Day-Mid-October

State-wide test day for 2023 Juniors-Late March		 The ACT student report includes student’s proficiency level in English language arts (ELA), Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), understanding complex texts, and progress towards career readiness. It also includes suggested colleges and career areas based on student’s scores and career interests, as indicated on the ACT.
MSAA 
Alternative Assessment		 3-12 Math
Reading		 TN state assessment for students with the most severe cognitive disabilities. To measure academic achievement with modified academic standards.
  • Computer-based 
  • Multiple choice questions
 Late March - Late April
(Dates of testing to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)		 Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.

 TCAP-Alt
Alternative Assessment

  3-12 Science
Social Studies		 TN state assessment for students with the most severe cognitive disabilities. To measure academic achievement with modified academic standards.
  • Paper-based
  • Multiple choice questions
 Late March - Late April
(Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)		 Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.
WIDA Access K-12 Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing TN state assessment that evaluates the English proficiency of English Language Learner (ELL) students.
  • Computer-based
    (2-8)
  • Proctor-given
    (K-1)
 February/March (Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)  Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.

TCAP-ACH
state assessments

 3-5

English/Language Arts
Math
Science

 TN state assessment that helps to measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year and to measure student achievement levels.
  • Paper-based
  • Multiple choice & writing assessment
 Mid April - Early May
(Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release) 		 If available prior to the end of the school year, student results on required TCAP assessments will account for 15% of a student's final grade.
Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.
 TCAP-ACH
state assessments		 6-8

English/Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies

 TN state assessment that helps to measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year and to measure student achievement levels.
  • Computer-based
  • Multiple choice & writing assessment
  Mid April - Early May
(Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)		  If available prior to the end of the school year, student results on required TCAP assessments will account for 15% of a student's final grade.
Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.
EOC
state assessments		 9-12 English I & II Algebra I & II  Geometry 
Biology
U.S. History		 TN state assessment that helps to measure how much a student grows academically over the course of a school year and to measure student achievement levels.
  • Computer-based
  • Multiple choice & writing assessment
 Fall window:  Late November - Mid December  (Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)

Spring window: Mid April - Early May (Dates of testing window to be refined pending TDOE assessment calendar release)		  If available prior to the end of the school year, student results on required TCAP assessments will account for 15% of a student's final grade.
Test results will be sent home to parents in the fall semester of the following school year.
Advanced Placement (AP) assessments 9-12 Various course offerings which are unique at each BCS high school AP exams assess knowledge of AP course material and determine whether students are qualified to test out of similar introductory courses in college.
  • Mostly paper-based 
  • A few courses have different ways to assess.
 First two weeks of May AP scores are accessed online on the student's College Board account.