Technology Integration

Burke County uses a comprehensive assessment system to monitor and evaluate student learning and to improve curriculum and instruction. Assessment data, along with other factors such as attendance and discipline are used by data teams, school improvement teams and administrators to plan school and system level improvements.  Test data and other factors are also used by the state to determine whether the schools and system have met the Annual Yearly Progress goals (AYP).

General Test Information:

Formative Tests: The tests and quizzes that teachers traditionally give throughout the school year are "formative"--they help form or guide instruction. 

Benchmark Tests: Benchmark tests are a formative test that can provide the ongoing information that schools need to monitor their students' progress toward state standards throughout the academic year, to guide instructional programs, and to address student-learning problems. In Burke County, these are give as an initial pre-test at the beginning of the school year and are broken into post tests every 9 weeks.  

Summative Tests:  Most high-stakes tests are "summative"--they attempt to sum up what's been learned, and then apply good or bad consequences based on that judgment. Examples are: CRCT, NAEP, ITBS, EOCT, GHSGT, GSHWT, Writing tests. 

Aimsweb:

The Aimsweb assessments are given three times a year and are similar to the benchmark tests noted above in that they are used not only to inform instruction, but they can identify students who are lagging behind expectations. However, where Burke County Benchmark tests address the specific standards taught in specific grades and subject areas, Aimsweb assessments test basic skills such as reading fluency, comprehension, math fluency and sound knowledge fluency. These assessments are also used more frequently than 3 times a year to monitor the progress of students identified as "at-risk" and who are receiving interventions.

GKIDS
Students in kindergarten are assessed throughout the school year on the GKIDS (Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills). This assessment provides information on the student's development and acquisition of necessary skills relating to age-approrpiate standards in the areas of English/ Language Arts and Mathematics. Other areas are also addessed such as Personal/ Social Development, Approaches to Learning and Motor Skills.  The student's performance levels in these domains can address not only their progress throughout their kindergarten year, but also their readiness for first grade. 

CRCT
Students in grades three through eight are assessed each spring on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). All students are assessed in Reading, English/Language Arts, and Mathematics.Students in grades three through eight are also tested in Science and Social Studies. Third grade students are required to pass the Reading test for promotion to fourth grade and fifth grade students are required to pass the Reading and Mathematics tests for promotion to sixth grade. Beginning with the 2005-06 school year, eighth grade students will be required to pass the Reading and Mathematics tests for promotion to ninth grade.

CRCT-M

The Criterion Referenced Competency Tests-Modified are given to students who are in special education in place of the CRCT and who meet certain specific eligibility requirements for taking this test. The decision concerning who is eligible to take the CRCT-M rather than the CRCT is made at the student's Individual Education Plan team meeting. For further information about the CRCT-M, please contact your child's special education teacher.

Georgia Technology Literacy Assessment (21st Century Skills Assessment)

Georgia understands the impact computers and other technology have had on education, society and our everyday lives and sees that this impact will continue to affect our students in the future. Because of this, a technology literacy test is required of 8th grade students. This fledgling assessment is slated to grow in importance as the new College and Career Performance Indices are further developed and rolled out to systems. Currently, this assessment is not used in AYP or promotion criteria.

Writing Assessments
Students in grades 5 and 8 are assessed in January on their writing skills. Students write on a specific topic and their compositions are then evaluated by outside raters. Score reports are received in the spring.

Students in third grade are assessed throughout the year on their writing skills. Teachers use a standard rubric or scoring guide to evaluate student-writing samples and determine the level of the student's writing in the spring.

For practice purposes, Burke County also administeres a "mock" writing test in grades 4, 7 and 11. It is scored by the Georgia Center for Accessment and scores are returned in the spring. These scores are then used to identify students who may need additional practice or instruction in writing prior to the state required writing tests.

GHSGT & GHSWT
High school students are have been traditionally assessed on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT). Most students take the GHSWT during the fall of their junior year, and the GHSGT during the spring of their junior year. The GHSGT consists of tests in the areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students who entered 9th grade between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2011 are given fexibiity to pass either all 4 areas of the GHSGT or post a passing score in one of the two EOCT's (End of Course Test) in the corresponding 4 GHSGT subject areas. (Students entering 9th grade after June 30, 2011, must pass an EOCT course in all 4 areas with the EOCT counting 20% of the course grade). All students much continue to pass the GHSWT. Several re-test opportunities are available through the year for students who do not pass the GHSWT or one or more sections of the GHSGT. (Please Note: Students who entered 9th grade prior to July 1, 2008 must continue to take the GHSGT.)

EOCT
All students will take the End-of-Course Test (EOCT) after completing courses in Math 1, Math 2, US History, Economics, Biology, Physical Science, 9th Grade Literature and Composition, and American Literature and Composition. The results of the EOCT are used for diagnostic, remedial and accountability purposes to gauge the quality of education in the state and count as part of the student's final grade in the course. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the EOCT will count 20% toward a student's grade in that course.

PSAT
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is published by The College Board as a tenth or eleventh grade practice instrument for students before taking the SAT in eleventh or twelfth grade. All tenth grade students take the PSAT in the fall free of charge. Eleventh grade students are encouraged to take the PSAT also to become eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships. These students are required to pay the testing fee.

Advanced Placement Tests (AP)

The AP tests are given in the spring at the conclusion of an advanced placement course. Students who show proficiency on this test may be awarded college credit for the course depending upon the college or university's course catelogue or policy. This will vary depending upon the institution. Burke County offers several AP courses including, but not limited to: US History, European History, 11th Grade Language Comprehension, 12th Grade Literature, Calculus AB, Advanced Math for Industrial Government and Chemistry. Other courses are available on-line through Georgia Virtual which is available as a class at BCHS. In addition, new courses are planned to be rolled out in the next year.

SAT & ACT
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the ACT Test are offered several times during the year at Burke County High School and at multiple other locations.These tests usually require a fee and are not required by the state or school system. As a service to our community, Burke County High School has become a testing site to enable more access to these important tests for our rural student population. Most colleges and universities use SAT and/or ACT scores in determining student admission. Most college-bound students take one or both of these tests during either their junior or senior year. Both the SAT and ACT can be taken as many times as the student feels is necessary. For more information on the SAT please go to http://www.collegeboard.org/  or the ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/ .