State Testing Begins was featured in "Spotlight on the Schools" article in the April 10, 2025, E-Edition of The Independent Herald on page 25.
The state-mandated Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) will be given to students statewide in mid-April. Students in the Scott County School District will begin testing on Monday, April 14.
The window for students in 2nd through 5th grade to test is April 14-May 2. Most tests for these students should be completed by April 25. The assessments will measure their achievement in ELA (English/Language Arts), math, and science. Although there are only three subject areas that are tested, the tests are divided into different subparts. These grade levels will take a paper-pencil assessment.
For students in grades 6th-8th and End of Course (EOC), the testing window will be a little longer. Their testing window also opens on April 14, but it ends on May 2. Students in grades 6-8 will be tested on material in ELA, math, science, and social studies. They will take each of the subparts of their TCAP test on computer.
Teachers will be able to use the TCAP test to help measure their own teaching, and it is a part of their evaluation system. They can see areas their students are successful in and areas that will need to be reinforced the following school year. Parents can use their child’s scores to see their overall performance for the year and to see how their child performs compared to other students in their grade level. For students in 3rd grade, there is the 3rd grade retention law as well as requirements for students in grades 4 and 5. Students who are entering high school will need to be able to show they are able to understand material if they want to enter the honors program.
Raw scores for the TCAP test are expected to be available around May 20. Parents will receive a copy of their child’s actual scores in a parent report as soon as they are able to be released- this is often in August of the following school year. Each report gives feedback on how the student is meeting academic expectations and how well they are doing compared to their peers across the state who took the same test. This is a chance for educators, families, and students to talk about how to support student progress toward their goals. Student scores are reported as being a level 1 (below), level 2 (approaching), level 3 (on track), or level 4 (mastered).
The TCAP test is a timed assessment that is aligned with the Tennessee State Academic Standards. Although the test is timed, parents and students can ask a test administrator for a time extension of up to 20% of the allotted time. For example, if a test is 60 minutes the time extension would be an additional 12 minutes. Parents may do this prior to testing by completing a form and returning it to their child’s school. Students can request the time during the test. There are some areas of the test where the time extension is not allowed because it may invalidate the testing results. These areas are marked so the test administrator knows where the time extension may not be used.
Although the TCAP test is important, there is no need to add stress to students. Teachers and parents simply want them to do their best and use this test to show what they have learned throughout the school year. One of the best ways to ensure that a child has a positive testing experience is to let them know to simply try their best. Parents can also help by assuring their child has a good night’s sleep, eats breakfast, and is at school each day for testing.
If you have any questions, you may contact your child’s principal or classroom teacher.
*Testing dates may vary by school. An exact schedule of testing dates will be sent home by the principal of your child’s school. TCAP testing will begin on April 14.