Standardized tests in NC schools - Who takes them and why they are required
The mere mention of standardized testing can cause anxiety for students and parents. When does your child start taking these tests? And why do they have to take them in the first place?
Each state and even each school district has a different set of required tests for students. This guide will explain who takes what and when.
What standardized tests does North Carolina use?
Public and charter school students in North Carolina will take a variety of tests starting in the third grade.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's tests include the Beginning-of-Grade 3 Reading Test (BOG3), End-of-Grade (EOG), End-of-Course (EOC), and NCEXTEND1 assessments.
Beginning-of-Grade 3 Reading Test (BOG3)
Who takes it? Third graders take it at the beginning of the school year
What is it? Most teachers call this the BOG. The purpose is to find a baseline for your child's reading skills when they enter third grade.
Only third grade students take this. The test content is "aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) for grade 3 English Language Arts," according to the state Department of Public Instruction. It assesses students for
Students who take this test and score a level 3 or higher are considered proficient for third grade reading. This is also important because if your child is not proficient according to the End of Grade Reading Test but they had a level 3 or higher on the BOG then they will be counted as proficient.
If a student is deemed proficient on the BOG, then they have satisfied the requirements of the state's "Read to Achieve" legislation, which aims to ensure all students demonstrate appropriate grade-level reading proficiency in third grade or risk being held back. There is a specific Read to Achieve test as well, which gives your child another chance to reach proficiency.
What are scores used for? They are used to show reading proficiency. Data from this and the third grade End of Grade Reading Test are used for "school accountability growth and student growth for teachers and administrators."
Grade 3 Read to Achieve (RtA)
Who takes it? Third graders who have not demonstrated reading proficiency on another test. So those who have scored a 3 or higher on the BOG3 or the EOG will not take it. Students who have successfully completed the Grade 3 Student Reading Portfolio are also exempt.
What is it? This is linked to the state's Read to Achieve legislation. This is aimed at making sure students "demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for a third grade student," according to North Carolina General Statute §115C-83.7(a). Students can avoid being held back if they demonstrate reading proficiency on another approved test like the BOG or EOG.
Any student can take the Grade 3 Read to Achieve a second time to demonstrate proficiency, including if they don't score at least 3 out of 5 on the EOG. Students who don't score at least a 3 on the EOG can either re-take the Read to Achieve test re-take the EOG.
Students who score a Level 3 or higher have demonstrated reading proficiency appropriate for third-grade students and have satisfied the Read to Achieve legislation requirements.
Parents can opt to not have their children retested if they fail the EOG or RtA. A reading camp is offered to students who are not proficient, but parents can opt out of that too.
Will my child be held back if they fail this test? Not necessarily. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, "Students are never automatically placed back into the third grade. The principal makes the decision where to place the student for the next school year. Most students go on to the transitional third and fourth class combination or a fourth-grade accelerated class unless they are low in other content areas."
End-of-Grade (EOG) Tests
Who takes these? Students enrolled in public and charter schools take EOGs every year in grades 3rd through 8th. The subject area they are tested in does differ by grade. The testing window for EOGs is the last 10 days of the school year.
What is it? These tests are aligned with the the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) for the areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and math. The EOG Science Test is only given to 5th and 8th graders and is aligned with the North Carolina Essential Standards for Science.
Students who score a level 3 or above on the EOGs are considered proficient in that subject area.
What happens if you fail an EOG? Students are given the option to re-take the test. Even if the parent chooses not to request a re-test, the principal ultimately makes the decision whether a student will be held back or advance to the next grade year based on test scores, classroom performance and other factors.
What are the test scores used for? Test results are used for school and district accountability and for federal reporting purposes.
End-of-Course (EOC) Tests
Who takes these? EOC assessments are given to students enrolled in Biology, English II, NC Math 1 and NC Math 3. These courses are offered in high school.
What they used for? Results from all EOC assessments account for as least 20 percent of the student’s final grade in that course.
NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessments
Who takes these? These are designed for students with disabilities who have a current IEP (individual education plan), a significant cognitive disability and are enrolled in grades 3rd through 8th and 10th or 11th grade.
PreACT
Who takes this test? Students in 10th grade
What is it? This simulates the ACT testing but is a shorter test than the ACT. It covers the same subjects: English, reading, mathematics and science. It is a multiple-choice test and is scored on a 1-36 point scale.
What are scores used for? To prepare students for the ACT and see what subject areas they may need additional growth in.
ACT
Who takes this test? Students in 11th grade in the spring. It is required state assessment.
What is this? A curriculum and standards-based test that assesses a student's college and career readiness in the subjects of English, mathematics, reading and science. It is a multiple-choice test and is scored on a 1-36 point scale.
What are scores used for? The ACT is used for college admissions, placement and scholarships.
ACT WorkKeys
Who takes this test? This is required for all students who are in Career and Technical Education pathway curriculums.
What is it? The three assessments are Applied Math, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents. Students who pass the three assessments can earn a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (WorkKeys NCRC) as well as a North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate at the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum levels of readiness. These certificates provide employers with proof that students have the skills needed to do the jobs available.
NC Check-Ins 2.0
Who takes these? Students who take EOG or EOC tests also take these.
What is it? These tests offer teachers a chance to "check in" on their students' progress before the end-of-grade tests. The tests are designed to help gauge a student's proficiency and help determine what areas the student might need to work on before the EOGs. Students take these more than once a year.
NC students take even more tests that aren't state-mandated
In addition to above tests, students also take additional assessments determined by their school district.
In Wake County, students as young as kindergarten begin the process by going through regular diagnostic screening tests like the Number Knowledge Test three times a year.
In Orange County, they use AimswebPlus to assess math and reading skills for all students from kindergarten through eighth grade. In Durham County, the iReady math assessment is given to children from kindergarten through ninth grade.
Cognitive Abilities Test or CogAT and Iowa Test
Students take this aptitude assessment which measures their reasoning skills. If they score a above a certain number on the CogAT, then your child is invited to take the Iowa Test, which measures a students' skills in Reading, Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
These tests are used to determine if your child is eligible for the gifted or AIG (academically or intellectually gifted) programs at their schools.
Most school districts give the CogAT to third graders, but some, like Franklin and Guilford counties, administer it in second grade. Harnett County offers it in third and fifth grade.
STAR Math
In Chapel-Hill Carrboro Schools, students from kindergarten to ninth grade take a Star Math assessment three times a year.
In Wake County, students in third through eighth grades take Star Math tests. Star Math tests are taken on a computer, and they are an adaptive assessment for measuring student achievement in math.
mCLASS
Wake and Sampson counties are among those that administer the mClass reading assessment to fourth and fifth grade students. mCLASS is designed to measure your child's reading skills. Wake County knows how confusing this can be, so they even have a guide called "Understanding Your Child's mCLASS Assessment."
