CRCT Criterion Referenced Competency Test: Understanding the Test, Understanding Your Child’s Score Connie Plunkett-Thompson Cooper Middle School December 7, 2007

CRCT A test that measures the extent to which a student has acquired certain information or mastered certain skills.

Georgia’s CRCT  The testing shall fulfill the following purposes:  To identify each school's instructional strengths and weaknesses.  To serve as one source for the evaluation of the educational program.  To facilitate the planning of appropriate curriculum and instructional programs.  To facilitate in the selection of classroom instructional strategies.  To identify the level of achievement of Cobb County students as compared with that of other school districts locally and nationally.  To inform parents and the general public of the achievement of Cobb students. ***From Cobb County Schools web site at

When Do Students take the CRCT?  5 Days  April 23rd – 29th  Wednesday: Reading  Thursday: Language Arts  Friday: Math  Monday: Science  Tuesday: Social Studies Testing: 9:15 – 11:45

About the Tests…  Each Subject has two 45 minute subtests  Students may take up to 60 minutes per subtest  All items are multiple choice  Students may not enter or leave the room once testing has begun

Before the Test 1. Prepare emotionally for the test 2. Eat a good nutritious breakfast 3. Get a good night’s sleep 4. Help your student Relax. 5. Keep a normal routine

Test Tips  Listen to and read directions carefully  Listen to and read test items carefully  Set a pace that will allow time to complete the test  Bypass difficult items and return to them later

Test Tips  Make informed guesses rather than omitting items  Eliminate as many alternatives as possible before guessing  Remember, it is not how many a student completes but how many are correct

More Test Tips  Check the question number to be sure that the question number & answer number match when marking an answer  Check to be sure that the appropriate response was marked on the answer sheet  If time permits, go back and answer the questions skipped and check all answers

SAMPLE QUESTIONS Directions: Read the poem and answer the questions. I see a very old book Lost on a library shelf Good to balance on my head Play like a mischievous elf.

Multiple Choice Questions 1. When the speaker in the poem says “lost on a library shelf”, he probably means that a.the book can’t find its way back home. b. he is lost in the library. c. the book has been put there and forgotten.

Spelling: 1.Select the correct spelling. a.Receive b. Recieve c. Reveice d. Reicive

Mathematics Which type of equipment is used to measure the length of an object? a.Meter b. Balance c. Graduated cylinder d. Thermometer

READING Since our friends had missed lunch, we fed them to appease their hunger. APPEASE means-- a. noticec. mention b. satisfyd. increase

Understanding Your Child’s Scores  Scores are reported as: Does Not Meet Expectations Less than 800 Meets Expectations 800 to 850 Exceeds Expectations 850 and Above

CRCT Use in Grade Level Promotion  Starting in August, 2004 all Georgia 3 rd graders are expected to pass the Math and Reading tests to be promoted to 4 th grade  August, 2005 all Georgia 5 th Grade to 6 th Grade  August, 2006 all Georgia 8 th grade to 9 th Grade  Passing Score: 800 or above (Meets Expectations)

CRCT Practice Georgia Department of Education Resources  1) Click on “Curriculum” 2) Select “Testing” from pull down 3) Click “CRCT” under Primary Assessment box in middle of screen 4) Select “Released Test Forms” from menu on right hand side of page 5) Scroll down and select desired test (Key included)

CRCT Practice  Log In: grade8 Password: grade8 ***will score and refer to what is missed