REFERENCE GUIDE TO COMMONLY USED TESTING TERMS

1. Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT):  The CRCT measures what students in grades 1-8 should know and be able to do at their grade level, based on Georgia’s Quality Core Curriculum (QCC’s).  The test relates to all content presented in the classroom and allows teachers to use these tests when they want to determine how well each student has learned specific knowledge or skills.  In third and fifth grades, this test determines whether students will be promoted to the next grade.  This test is administered in the spring to grades 1-5.

2. Quality Core Curriculum (QCC):  A set of standards established by the State Department of Education determining the content introduced at specific grade levels. 

3. Georgia Performance Standards (GPS): A new set of standards, soon replacing the QCC’s,  revised by the State Department determining the content.  The standards will gradually be implemented over the course of the next five years. 

4. Does Not Meet Expectations (Level 1): A performance level determined by the number right/wrong on the CRCT.  This number is below 300. 

5. Meets Expectations (Level 2): A performance level determined by the number right/wrong on the CRCT.  This number is at or above 300 but below 350.

6. Exceeds Expectations (Level 3):  A performance level determined by the number right/wrong on the CRCT.  This number is at or above 350.

7. Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS):  The ITBS results are beneficial in measuring student achievement-of individual students, within schools, and among school systems nationwide.  This test is administered in the fall to students in grades 2 and 4^th.  This test is identified as a norm-referenced test.

8. Grade Equivalent (GE):  This identifies the approximate grade level your child scored.

9. National Percentile Rank (NPR):  This is a ranking which determines how well your child scored compared to others nationally.  This number is reported as a number between 0 – 99.  The NPR of 50 is average.