Georgia: Standards, Instruction and Assessment:

What content areas and grade levels are tested?

Georgia law, as amended by the A+ Education Reform Act of 2000, requires that all students in grades one through eight take the CRCT in the content areas of reading, English/language arts, and mathematics. Students in grades three through eight are also assessed in science and social studies. The CRCT only assesses the content standards outlined in the GPS/QCC.

When was the CRCT implemented?

The CRCT was implemented in spring 2000. That year, summative, end-of-year assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades four, six, and eight. Assessments in science and social studies (grades three through eight) were administered for the first time in spring 2002. Additionally, assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades one, two, three, five, and seven in spring 2002.

How is content tested?

Currently, the mandated end-of-year assessments contain selected-response items only; however, a small number of constructed-response items may be included in subsequent years.

How does the CRCT differ from a norm-referenced test (NRT)?

Criterion-referenced tests, such as the CRCT, are designed to measure how well students acquire, learn, and accomplish the knowledge and skills set forth in a specific curriculum or unit of instruction. The CRCT, therefore, is specifically intended to test Georgia's performance/content standards outlined in the GPS and QCC. Norm-referenced tests (NRT), such as the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), measure instructional standards commonly taught throughout the entire United States of America. Additionally, NRTs highlight differences between and among students across an achievement continuum.

Are state, system, and school disaggregated reports of CRCT results provided?

Yes. The contractor provides paper and electronic disaggregated reports at the state, system, and school levels. These reports provide student performance information for the following categories: All Students, All Regular Program Students (subcategories include Section 504, Limited English Proficient, and All Others), All Special Education Students (subcategories include primary classification/disability - i.e., visual impairment, learning disabilities, etc.), Gender, and Race/Ethnicity. These data are reported for grades one through eight in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics, and grades three through eight in science and social studies.

What steps did the state take to ensure the age appropriateness of the CRCT for grades 1 and 2?

In order to obtain the most reliable and accurate test results from younger students, the state looked at how other states assessed students in the early grades and at the procedures identified by educational research as the most important to follow. Key factors taken into consideration include number of answer choices, breaks during testing, and having certain aspects of the assessments read to the students by the teacher.

You can find more information on the CRCT at:

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT

End of Course Tests (EOCT)

The A+ Educational Reform Act of 2000, O.C.G.A. §20-2-281, mandates that the State Board of Education adopt end-of-course assessments in grades nine through twelve for core subjects to be determined by the State Board of Education. With educator input, and State Board approval, the End-of-Course Testing program is therefore comprised of the following eight content area assessments:

• Mathematics
  • Algebra I
  • Geometry
  • GPS Algebra*
  • GPs Geomerty*
• Social Studies
  • United States History
  • Economics/Business/Free Enterprise
• Science
  • Biology
  • Physical Science
• English Language Arts
  • Ninth Grade Literature and Composition
  • American Literature and Composition

*These tests are new additions to the program beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.

The EOCT is administered upon completion of one of the above courses. A student’s final grade in the course will be calculated using the EOCT as follows (State Board Rule 160-4-2-.13):

• For students enrolled in grade nine for the first time before July 1, 2011, the EOCT counts as 15% of the final grade.
• For students enrolled in grade nine for the first time on July 1, 2011 or after, the EOCT counts as 20% of the final grade.

You can find more information on the EOCT at:

http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_EOCT