Previous TCAP vs. TNReady total testing times:
Grades 3 through 5: TCAP / TNReadyEnglish and writing: 226 min. / 290 min.Math: 83 to 92 min. / 135 min.Science: 95 to 104 min. / 95 to 104 min.Social Studies: 92 to 104 min. / 145 min.Grades 6 through 8:English and writing: 260 min. / 320 min.Math: 83 min. / 150 min.Science: 95 to 104 min. / 95 to 104 min.Social Studies: 92 to 104 min. / 135 min.High SchoolEnglish I, II, and III plus writing: 240 to 360 min. / 350 min.Math I, II, and III: 120 to 240 min. / 210 min.Biology: 120 to 240 min. / 75 min.Chemistry: 120 to 240 min. / 75 min.U.S. History: 120 to 240 min. / 180 min.Source: Tennessee Department of Education
Hamilton County school board members were told last week that a new, state-mandated testing schedule will consume seven weeks of the upcoming school year – extensive testing robbing students of valuable instruction time.
But the Tennessee Department of Education says this isn’t true.
“[Testing] is approximately 1 percent of the student’s entire year,” said Ashley Ball, education department spokeswoman. She added, “The amount of time students spend testing this school year will be very similar to last school year.”
That contradicts what Superintendent Rick Smith told board members about the new assessment test – TNReady – on Thursday. In a special called meeting, Smith said testing will drastically reduce student learning time.