CRCT Only 1 Week Away!!

The CRCT Is Coming! By Ryan Butcher Principal The time of year is here that most of our students will take the CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests – grades 3 through 5). Below are the answers to some questions that you may have about it. When will these tests be administered? April 4th -8th (3rd, 4th and 5th Grades Only) What subjects will be tested? Reading, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Why do the students need to take these tests? Georgia law requires a comprehensive assessment program of students’ educational achievement. Both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests are necessary in order to determine educational effectiveness since these tests provide different types of information about student achievement. What is the purpose of the CRCT? It is designed to measure student acquisition of the skills and knowledge described in Georgia’s Performance Standards (GPS). The information yielded on the CRCT serves the dual purpose of giving a diagnosis of individual student strengths and weaknesses as related to the instruction of the GPS and program evaluation to gauge the quality of education throughout Georgia. Can standardized tests alone determine a child’s placement in a classroom? NO! Paper and pencil tests give teachers only part of the picture of a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Teachers combine the results of many methods of assessments, such as observing students in the classroom and evaluating their day-to-day class work, to gain insights into the skills, abilities, and knowledge of a child. Standardized tests have limitations and are not perfect measures of what a student can or cannot do or of everything a student learns. Also, a child’s scores on a particular test may vary from day to day, depending on whether the child guesses, follows the directions carefully, takes the test seriously, and is comfortable in taking the test. How can I help my child do well on tests? It is important that you communicate with your child’s teacher often to monitor your child’s progress and find out what activities you can do at home to help your child. · Make sure your child does his/her homework. · Make sure your child is well rested and eats a well-balanced diet each day. · Have a variety of books and magazines at home to encourage your child’s curiosity. · Do not be overly anxious about test scores, but encourage your child to take tests seriously. · Do not judge your child on the basis of a simple test score.