Rumor Mill-4997
Published February 23, 2012
The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating. If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS. Below are some of the questions we received since our last newsletter.
I heard a rumor that TCAP will count as 20 percent of grades. Is this true?
The State requires that TCAP scores be a part of the student’s grade beginning with the 2011-12 school year. The State gave districts a window of 15 to 25 percent. The Williamson County School Board approved using 15 percent for our students. Students in grades 3-8 take the TCAP test.
I understand that this year the TCAP scores will be incorporated into student grades. I have several concerns about this, one of which is how the TCAP scores will be converted into a 1-100 scale. Can you provide some information about this calculation and the methodology used to develop and validate it? Will we be able to take my child's TCAP score from last year and determine what their TCAP "grade" would have been?
Yes, that is correct. TCAP scores will be incorporated into the second semester (spring) final grade for the subjects of mathematics, reading/language arts, science and social studies. Per School Board policy 4.700 (Testing Programs) the student’s TCAP score will comprise fifteen percent (15%) of the final second semester grade. The Tennessee Department of Education will calculate the TCAP conversion on a 1-100 scoring range and submit a score to the district for each third through eighth grade student for each of the content areas. We do not have exact information concerning their calculations or the methodology they will use. Below is an example of our understandings on final grade averaging.
- Example of grading percentages for 3rd-5th TCAP inclusion into second semester grade;
Percentage of final grade:
- 3rd 9 weeks grade - 42.5%
- 4th 9 weeks grade - 42.5%
- TCAP Grade - 15.0%
Example of a final grade average:
- 3rd 9 weeks grade - 85 x .425 = 36.125 (B)
- 4th 9 weeks grade - 95 x .425 = 40.375 (A)
- TCAP Grade - 88 x .15 = 13.2 (B) (this grade to be determined by the State)
89.70 (B)
Final Grade = 90 (B)
Examples of the 6th–8th grade final grade are a bit more complicated. The following chart is offered as an example for these grades, with the understanding that the administrator at the middle school should be contacted for specifics. Not all middle schools administer a final exam in 7th grade. The calculations also vary if a student is enrolled in an Algebra I course for high school credit.
Percentage of Assessments used to determine 2nd Semester Final Grade for 6th– 8th grade students
| Grading Periods | 3rd 9 Weeks | 4th 9 Weeks | TCAP | Final Exam | Alg. EOC |
| 8th Algebra I student | 37.5% | 37.5% | ------- | -------- | 25% |
| 8th Non Algebra I student | 37.5% | 37.5% | 15% | 10% | --------- |
| 7th Algebra I student | 37.5% | 37.5% | ------- | -------- | 25% |
| 7th Non Algebra I student | 37.5% | 37.5% | 15% | 10% | --------- |
| 7th School w/out final exam | 42.5% | 42.5% | 15% | -------- | --------- |
| 6th grade - all students | 42.5% | 42.5% | 15% |
Additionally, due to the fact that the State is responsible for the TCAP conversion of scores into a grade based on State-wide performances, it is unlikely that you would be able to take last year’s TCAP and determine a TCAP grade. You could however loosely base a close estimate to a grade based on the TCAP achievement levels:
o Advanced (A)
o Proficient (A/B) (depending on range of scale)
o Basic (B/C/D) (depending on range of scale)
o Below basic (F) (depending on range of scale)