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The following terms appeared in "Setting a Higher Standard" published by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Volume 2, Number 1
ACHIEVEMENT GAP
The difference in academic achievement of students of different cultural backgrounds, first languages, or socioeconomic statuses.
END-OF-COURSE TESTS (EOCT)
Assessments for high school students in core subjects to be determined by the state Board of Education. These tests are still being developed.
GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST (GHSGT)
Given to all high school students until the end-of-course tests are developed. Covers content in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Performance levels are reported at the "pass" and "pass plus" levels.
GEORGIA KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT PROGRAM-REVISED (GKAP-R)
A test given to kindergarten students in Georgia that is administered by kindergarten or first-grade teachers who are trained in the use of GKAP-R. The test provides evidence of whether a child is ready for first grade. Students are evaluated in the areas of literacy, mathematics, and social/emotional development through one-on-one, small group and large group instructional settings throughout the year.
GRADE EQUIVALENT SCORE
A score that represents the typical performance of students tested in a given month of the school year. The number left of the decimal point represents the grade for which the score is typical, and the number to the right of the decimal point refers to the school month. A grade equivalent score of 4.1 would reflect the typical performance of the national sample of fourth-graders taking the test in the month of September.
HIGH STAKES TESTING
Making a decision based on a single evaluation or test. For example, a kindergarten student cannot attend first grade unless he or she passes the GKAP-R. For schools and systems, student performance on one test determines whether they will receive salary or funding increases, interventions or sanctions.
IOWA TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS
Measures how well students learned basic skills and knowledge taught in elementary and middle schools, such as reading and mathematics. Replaced by the Stanford 9 Achievement tests in Georgia schools this year (2001).
NORM-REFERENCED TESTS (NRT)
Tests that measure instructional standards and highlight differences among students across the nation. This test is not aligned with Georgia's Quality Core Curriculum and helps to determine how the state's curriculum compares with national standards.
CRITERION-REFERENCED COMPETENCY TESTS (CRCT)
Tests given to students in grades one through eight; used for considering the promotion of students in grades three, five, and eight. It evaluates students' acquisition of the skills and knowledge described in Georgia's Quality Core Curriculum (QCC). Produces information on student, class, school, system and state achievement in education.
PERFORMANCE-BASED TESTS
Tests that use open-response questions to evaluate a student's knowledge and understanding of a subject. Performance-based tests allow students to communicate their thoughts through interpreting and synthesizing information.
STANFORD 9 ACHIEVEMENT TEST
A norm-referenced test that reflects how well students performed in relation to a nationally representative sample of students in the same grade and tested under the same conditions. More closely reflects state's standards as opposed to the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.
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