Grades 3-6 Testing Calendar Letter
September 14, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians:
In accordance with North Carolina State Board of Education Policy TEST-001, this information is provided to parents regarding the districtwide and state-mandated tests students will be required to take during the 2020-2021 school year. The United States Department of Education has indicated that no testing waivers will be granted for this academic year.
The listing below describes all associated state assessments for students in grades 3-8. The attached testing calendar addresses the administration dates of these tests.
State Assessments for Grades 3-8
• Beginning-of-Grade 3 Test (BOG3): English language arts/reading test by the 20th day of the school year. • End-of-Grade Tests (EOG): Students at grades 3, 4, 6, and 7 will take the English language arts/reading and mathematics EOGs during the last 10 days of the school year.
• End-of-Grade Tests (EOG): Students at grades 5 and 8 will take the English language arts/reading, mathematics, and science EOGs during the last 10 days of the school year.
• Students who are enrolled for credit in courses where End-of-Course (EOC) tests are required shall take the appropriate End-of-Course test. Tests are given during the last 10 days of the academic year for traditional/yearlong courses.
• North Carolina Check-Ins for Reading: These interim assessments are aligned to the content standards for reading in grades 4-8. These will be administered three times during the academic year to provide immediate feedback on student understanding of the content standards.
• North Carolina Check-Ins for Math: Students in grades 3-8 will take these interim assessments which are three times during the academic year and these will provide feedback on student understanding of content standards.
• North Carolina Check-Ins for Science: Students in grades 5 and 8 will be administered these assessments one time during the academic year. The information gained from this assessment will be used to provide feedback on student understanding of content standards.
• North Carolina Check-Ins for NC Math 1: These are interim assessments are aligned to content standards for NC Math 1. These will be administered two times during the year to provide immediate feedback on student understanding of the content standards.
English Language Proficiency State Assessment for Grades K-12
• The WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) is administered to all initially enrolled students within 45 of enrollment.
• All students identified as limited English proficient must be administered the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) during the annual testing window.
• The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an assessment of English language proficiency for students in grades 1-12 who are identified as an English Language Learners and have significant cognitive disabilities.
State Assessment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities for Grades 3-8 • NCEXTEND1 is an alternate assessment designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The assessment process requires students to complete performance-based, multiple–choice items in the following subject areas; English language arts/reading at grades 3-8, mathematics at grades 3-8 and science at grades 5 and 8.
Local Assessment
• CogAT IQ Test: This assessment is administered to third graders and it provides teachers with information regarding a student’s aptitude with the results being used as one piece of information in determining services through the academically gifted program.
Catawba County Schools
2020-2021 Catawba County Schools Testing Calendar Grades 3-8 Date Grades Test August 24-September 4 Compass Students ONLY Grade 3 BOG3 (Beginning of Grade 3 ELA/Reading Test)
September 2-21
September 4, 11 and 18
Grade 3 BOG3 Window (Beginning of Grade 3 ELA/Reading Test)
BOG3 Window for Online Catawba Students – On-site administration
(Beginning of Grade 3 ELA/Reading Test)
November Grade 4-8 Grade 3-8
NC Reading Check-In 1
NC Math Check-In 1
Access to assessment and review period closes on November 24. Materials are due November 30.
This assessment can be administered remotely.
December Grade 8 Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 1 Access to assessment closes on December 18
This assessment can be administered remotely.
January 25 - March 5 All Grades -- EL Students ACCESS for ELLs/Alternate ACCESS for ELLs
February Grade 4-8 Grade 3-8
NC Reading Check-In 2
NC Math Check-In 2
Access to assessment and review period closes on February 26. Materials are due March 1.
This assessment can be administered remotely.
March 10 Grade 3 IQ Testing
March – April Grade 5 and 8 NC Science Check-Ins 1, 2 and 3
Access to assessment and review period closes on April 30. Materials are
due May 3.
This assessment can be administered remotely.
April Grade 4-8 Grade 3-8
NC Reading Check-In 3
NC Math Check-In 3
Access to assessment and review period closes on April 30. Materials are due May 3.
This assessment can be administered remotely.
April Grade 8 Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 2
Access to assessment and review period closes on April 30.
This assessment can be administered remotely.
May 17-28 Grade 3-8 Math/Reading Grade 5 and 8 Science
NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment
May 17-28 Grade 5 and 8 Science EOG
May 18-19 Grade 3-8 Math/Reading EOGs
May 21 Grade 3 Read to Achieve May 25 Grade 3 Third Grade Reading EOG Retest June 3-16 Compass Students End-of- Grade Tests Grades 3-8 Math/Reading Grades 5 and 8 Science
Additional Item:
• WIDA ACCESS Placement (W-APT) -- Initial assessment required within 45 calendar days of enrollment.
