TCAP Testing Information
Links

"Lots of Luck for Testing" is a collection of sites to assist teachers in preparing for TCAP tests, Gateway Exams, and end of course tests.  This collection includes both on line practice tests, links to create materials, review games and activities. http://jc-schools.net/techupdate/testing.htm

TCAP Practice Resources includes released tests from other states, released tests to print, and a variety of general subject resources.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/TCAP.htm

Grade Level Skills page index has subject specific resources for Kindergarten through Eighth grade for the following subjects; Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies. The skills pages list Tennessee SPI's and Internet resources to practice those skills. There are also reinforcement skills pages for each grade K - 8. These pages are full of interactive practice sites specific to grade levels.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm

Some teachers work with classes which must take the end of course tests. There are pages of Internet resources available to help teachers get their students ready for the tests. The End of Course pages can be found in the Assessment section of Links for K-12 Teachers.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/k12links.htm#assessment



Writing Assessment Test Date: February 6
Writing Test Administration Manual
Writing Assessment Powerpoint

TCAP Testing Dates: April 14-18

TCAP Tools and Links

Administration Manual
The following are links to tables (pdf) that show the State Performance Indicators
for CRT items on the Achievement Test.

Reading/Language
 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
Mathematics  Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
Science Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
Social Studies Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Teacher Directions
TCAP Allowable Accomodations
504 & Special Education Accomodations
Test Strategies
Grade 6 Test Sampler
Grade 7 Test Sampler
Grade 8 Test Sampler
Math Multiplication Table


TCAP Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TCAP Achievement Test?

The TCAP Achievement test uses multiple choice questions that provide a measure of knowledge and application skills in various subject areas for grades K-8. The results of the TCAP Achievement Test provide valuable information regarding student's progress in Tennessee.



Who will take the TCAP Achievement Test?

The TCAP Achievement test is mandated for all students in grades 3-8. The test is not mandated for grades K-2; however, school systems may elect to test students in K, 1 and/or 2.



What subjects are covered on the test?

The test for K includes reading, language arts, and mathematics.

The test for grade 1 includes reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, word analysis, vocabulary, and math computation.

The test for grade 2 includes reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, word analysis, vocabulary, language mechanics, math computation, and spelling.

The tests for grades 3-8 include reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The tests are broken into segments for students to take over several days.



How long will the TCAP Achievement Test take?
Kindergarten 95 minutes
First grade 210 minutes
Second grade 265 minutes
Third grade 320 minutes
Fourth grade 320 minutes
Fifth grade 320 minutes
Sixth grade 320 minutes
Seventh grade 320 minutes
Eighth grade 320 minutes


What are the accommodations for special populations?

There are English Language Learner Accommodations, Allowable Accommodations, as well as Special Accommodations available. See link on the toolbar at the left.



How will the scores be used?

The results are provided to teachers and school administrators to help them address the instructional needs of Tennessee students. They may be used as one measure of student achievement during the current school year.



What types of score reports will be generated from the TCAP Achievement Test?

The reports for grades Kindergarten(K) through 2 will provide information comparing the achievement of Tennessee students with the performance of students from across the nation.

The reports for grades 3 through 8 will provide information concerning performance on specfic objectives (criterion-referenced) and a description of student performance on academic skills based on the grade span standards (performance levels).



What types of items will be on the test?

The 2007 TCAP Achievement Test will include Criterion-Refereneced items for all students in grades 3 through 8 in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.



What are Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT) ?

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 Content Standards and State Performance Indicators.



What can parent, teachers, school counselors and administrators do to help prepare students for the test?

During the School Year

  • Communicate any concerns regarding the student's performance immediately.
  • Be aware of your school's testing dates and times.
  • Ensure that the student completes all homework assignments.
  • Parents should set aside a daily study time.
  • Discuss the students' school work with him or her regularly.
  • Praise the student for hard work and good effort.
  • Encourage the student to ask questions at home and in class.
  • Convey to the student the importance of a good education.

On the Day of Testing Parent Should

  • Provide a healthy breakfast for your child.
  • Make sure that your child attends school.
  • Be sure that your child is at school on time and relaxed.
  • Encourage your child to do the best work possible.
  • Not cause your child any unnecessary stress regarding the test.


What type of calculators can be used on the TCAP?

Calculator Use: Students may use a calculator on the TCAP Achievement Test per system policy. The student is responsible for bringing an acceptable calculator to the testing session.  Sharing calculators during testing is not permitted. The Test Administrator is responsible for ensuring that students do not use calculator memory to store test information .

The following types of calculators/devices may NOT be used during the test:

Examples of prohibited calculators include:
a. Casio models CFX-9970G and Algebra FX 2.0
b. Hewlett-Packard models HP-40G and HP-49G
c. Texas Instruments models TI-89, TI-92, and Voyage 200

Students may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator that does not have any of the above features. The Test Administrator should verify that calculators used by the students do not have prohibited functions.

Frequently Asked Questions from Educators about No Child Left Behind and Accountability

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