Testing and Assessments
These tests are administered in accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and T.C.A §49-1-602 pertaining to district and school accountability. Modified assessments in Braille and large print are also provided in accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990.
Home Schooled students who are in 5th grade, 7th grade, and 9th grade and have registered with the Student Services Department at Hamilton County Department of Education are required to take TCAP tests. Please review the Hamilton County’s TCAP Testing Schedule links below to see which tests are applicable. Letters will be sent with additional information.
Here we provide information regarding all tests administered to Hamilton County students.
Applicable Federal/State Law
These tests are administered in accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and T.C.A §49-1-602 pertaining to district and school accountability. Modified assessments in Braille and large print are also provided in accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990.
Home Schooled students who are in 5th grade, 7th grade, and 9th grade and have registered with the Student Services Department at Hamilton County Department of Education are required to take TCAP tests. Please review the Hamilton County’s TCAP Testing Schedule links below to see which tests are applicable. Letters will be sent with additional information.
Here we provide information regarding all tests administered to Hamilton County students.
Tennessee Assessment
TCAP - Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program
Applicable Federal/State Law*
These tests are administered in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 and T.C.A. §49-1-602 pertaining to district and school accountability. Modified assessments in Braille and Large Print are also provided in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990.
ACH Grades 3-8 and EOC
This is required by all students in Grades 3-12 per Federal/State Law*
This includes English language arts, math, science for grades 3-8, social studies for grades 6-8, and High School Algebra I & II, Geometry, English I & II, Biology, and US History.
Purpose & Use
These tests are given to measure how much a student grows academically over the duration of the course. The new format in English language arts and math will measure student understanding of our current state standards, not just basic memorization and test-taking skills.
Administration Dates
EOC (computer-based)
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- Fall – December 1 to December 18, 2025
- Spring – April 13 to May 5, 2026
ACH Grades 3-8
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- Grades 3-5 – April 13 to May 1, 2026 (paper-based)
- Grades 6-8 – April 13 to May 5, 2026 (computer-based)
Results to Parents & Students
A quick score is provided to the district for use in final grades. Individual student reports are received in mid- to late-July and sent home with the students in August/September.
TCAP-Alt ELA & Math – are required for select students with disabilities (who qualify for the alternate assessment) in grades 3-8 and grade 11 per Federal/State Law*
This includes English language arts and math for grades 3-8 and grade 11.
Purpose & Use
This assessment is administered to students with the most severe cognitive disabilities to measure academic achievement against modified, more accessible academic standards.
Administration Dates
Fall – September 8 to December 19, 2025 (computer-based)
Spring – February 2 to May 15, 2026 (computer-based)
Results to Parents & Students
Scores are received in mid- to late-July and Individual Student Reports are sent home in August/September. Results may be discussed during the student’s IEP meeting.
TCAP-Alt Science & Social Studies – are required for select students with disabilities (who qualify for the alternate assessment) in grades 3-8 and grade 10 per Federal/State Law*
This includes science for grades 3-8, social studies for grades 6-8, and Biology for grade 10.
Purpose & Use
This assessment is administered to students with the most severe cognitive disabilities to measure academic achievement against modified, more accessible academic standards.
Administration Dates
TCAP-Alt – March 9 to April 24, 2026 (paper-based)
Results to Parents & Students
Scores are received in mid- to late-July and Individual Student Reports are sent home in August/September. Results may be discussed during the student’s IEP meeting.
ELPA21 – is required for all English Language Learner students in grades K-12
ELPA21 consists of four tests to evaluate English Proficiency. Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires states to administer an assessment designed to measure students’ progress in “…attaining proficiency, including a child’s level of comprehension, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English”.
Administration Dates
February 2 to March 12, 2026
Results to Parents & Students
Individual performance reports are received in June and sent home in August/September.
Understanding TCAP Scores and Supporting Your Student
Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) scores are available for parents to review their student’s performance. The TCAP is designed to measure your child’s academic growth and provide valuable information about their strengths and opportunities for growth. It measures grade-level expectations in subjects such as English-Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Meeting grade-level expectations means that your student understands the skills and concepts of the subject and is ready for the next grade.
TCAP scores are just one part of understanding how your child is doing in school, so it is important to also regularly look at report cards, PowerSchool, and communicate with teachers. Parents and caregivers have important roles in their student’s educational journey. Through understanding students’ strengths and opportunities for growth parents can partner with teachers to help students meet their unique goals and continue growing in their academic journey.
Understanding TCAP scores can be overwhelming and frustrating for parents but there are resources to help both parents and students grasp what it all means. From TCAP scores a parent can see where there is an opportunity for their child to grow in specific categories to meet their goals. In other words, a personalized educational checklist of what skills your child can continue to grow in and ways your can support your student. For a more detailed experience and feedback on your individual student’s TCAP scores, log into the TCAP Family Portal, select 2022-2023 scores, and click the Student TCAP Video Results. This video will provide you with a personalized video of your student’s score results and ways to support your student toward improvement and success.
If you feel your child needs additional support, please review our HCS Family Guide for details on HCS Student Resources.
TCAP Family Resources
Many Accountability & Research documents are available to view or print in Adobe Acrobat format. If you don’t have the free reader installed on your system, you can download it from the Adobe web site.
TCAP Parent Guide will provide some helpful information for the new TNReady testing format. Please feel free to read through for a better understanding of what is expected with math and English language arts testing this year.
The Calculator Prohibited FAQs will provide assistance and some sample questions to help understand why there is a portion of the math assessment that does not allow the use of a calculator.
The Tennessee Family Portal provides online access to a student’s individual performance data on Tennessee state assessments and will assist with tracking assessment information throughout the student’s academic year. Find out more about utilizing the portal by reviewing the Family Portal Help Guide.
HCDE Benchmark Assessments are given to assist the teachers with planning strategies to prepare the students for the TCAP assessments in April and May (December for Fall Block High Schools). The final assessments will test some skills the students have not been taught as this too is in preparation for the TCAP assessments. You will find more information about Benchmarks in the next section.
Additional Resources:
Hamilton County Assessments
HCDE Benchmark Assessments - Grades 3-12
Purpose & Use
This test is given to assist the teachers with planning strategies to prepare the students for the TCAP assessments in April and May. The assessment will test skills the students have been taught up to this point of the school year in preparation for the TCAP assessments.
Administration Dates
Grades 3-8 & High Schools
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- TBD
Results to Parents & Students
The results may be discussed at parent/teacher conferences
Click here for instructions of how to read your student’s benchmark report
US Civics Assessment - Grades 11-12
Purpose & Use
This test is given to all High School 11th and 12th graders. Schools may choose to test 10th grade also. A passing score of 70% or better is required for graduation and students will have multiple chances to pass.
Administration Dates
Quarter 1 – TBD
Quarter 2 – TBD
Quarter 3 – TBD
Quarter 4 – TBD
Results to Parents & Students
Results will be used for graduation requirement. However, should a school desire, the score may be used as a grade for students enrolled in a U.S. Government & Civics course.
Schools wishing to be recognized as a United States Civics All-Star School with the State of Tennessee must have all seniors pass with an 85% or better.
The following schools reached US Civics All-Star status for the 2024-2025 school year
- Central High School
- Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts
- Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences- Upper
- Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State
- Hamilton County Virtual School
- Lookout Valley Middle High School
- Ooltewah High School
- Red Bank High School
- Sale Creek Middle High School
- Sequoyah High School
- Signal Mountain Middle High School
- Soddy Daisy High School
- The Howard School
- Tyner Academy
Universal Screeners in Reading & Math - Grades K-8
Purpose & Use
In the context of an RTI prevention model, universal screening is the first step in identifying the students who are at risk for learning difficulties. It is the mechanism for targeting students who struggle to learn when provided a scientific, evidence-based general education. Universal screening is conducted up to three times per school year (fall, winter, and spring). Universal screening measures consists of brief assessments focused on target skills (e.g., phonological awareness, computational fluency) that are highly predictive of future outcomes.
The first assessment will determine the reading and math levels for each student. The second and third assessments will evaluate the growth of each content over the course of the school year.
Administration Dates
- Fall – September 8, 2025-September 19, 2025
- Kinder ONLY: August 18-29, 2025
- Winter -January 7, 2026 – January 21 , 2026
- Middle School ONLY: December 8 – 19, 2025
- Spring -April 27 – May 8, 2026
Results to Parents & Students
The results may be discussed during parent/teacher conferences.
AimsWeb Universal Reading Screener
Purpose & Use
Teachers assess foundational literacy skills and gain insight on student performance relative to national norms and growth over time, using information to inform instructional planning. Teachers receive growth scores based on student outcomes from beginning to end of year.
Administration Dates
- Fall: August 19 – September 9
- Winter: January 7 – 21
- Spring: April 27 – May 8
Results to Parents & Students
Results shared in print form with parents. Results may be discussed during parent/teacher conferences.
Pre-K Beginning of the Year Inventory
Purpose & Use
Teachers assess foundational skills to determine the starting point for small group instruction for each child.
Administration Dates
August 6-15
Results to Parents & Students
Results may be discussed during parent/teacher conferences.
Pre-K Report Card/End of Year Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
Purpose & Use
Teachers assess progress toward kindergarten readiness. Teachers & families receive individual reports for their Pre-K students on Kindergarten Readiness Skills and develop a common understanding of Kindergarten Readiness in Hamilton County.
Administration Dates
Quarter 1: September 22- October 6
Quarter 2: November 24- December 19
Quarter 3: February 23 – March 13
Quarter 4: May 1 – May 21
Results to Parents & Students
Results parents quarterly in the form of a Pre-K Report Card for Quarter 1 – Quarter 3, and as a Kindergarten Readiness Report for Quarter 4.
National Assessments
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
NAEP, commonly referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card”, is the largest national representative assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas including mathematics, reading, and science.
Assessment Dates
January 27-March 7, 2026
No schools have been chosen at this time.
Should you have any questions regarding this assessment, please feel free to visit the NAEP website (External website).
Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)
PISA is an international assessment of 15-year-old students, conducted every three years, that measures how well students apply their knowledge and skills in science, reading, and mathematics to solve problems in real-life contexts.
Assessment Dates
TBD
No schools have been chosen at this time.
Should you have any questions regarding this assessment, please feel free to visit the PISA website (External website).
College Readiness
ACT - American College Testing
Required for all students to receive a regular education diploma and first opportunity is Grade 11
Purpose & Use
This exam is used to measure college readiness and HOPE scholarship eligibility.
Administration Dates
In-School test dates
- Senior Retake
- Window 1 – September 30, October 1-3 & 6-10, 2025
- Window 2 – October 14-17 & 20-24, 2025
- Window 3 – Oct. 28-31 & November 3-7, 2025
- State Date for Grade 11
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- Window 1 – March 10-13 & 16-20, 2026
- Window 2 – March 24-27 & March 30-April 3, 2026
- Window 3 – April 7-10 & April 13-17, 2026
Additional information for National Testing Dates can be found at http://www.actstudent.org/
Results
Student reports are sent to the students and the schools directly from ACT. Distribution of results is typically six to eight weeks following the assessment data.
PSAT - Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
Optional assessment for students in Grade 11
Purpose & Use
This assessment is the qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship for Juniors only. Sophomores and Freshmen may take for practice.
Administration Date
In-School test dates
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- October 1-31, 2025 – please check with school counselor
Results
Student reports are sent to the students and the schools directly from College Board. Distribution of results is usually in mid-December.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Exams
Purpose & Use
The IB offers an education for students comprising of four programmes that focus on teaching students to think critically and independently, and how to inquire with care and logic. The IB prepares students to succeed in a world where facts and fiction merge in the news , and where asking the right questions is a crucial skill that will allow them to flourish long after they’ve left the programmes.
Signal Mountain Middle-High School is a proud IB School.
Administration Dates
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April 24 to May 20, 2026 – please check with school counselor for specific content test dates
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Results
Student reports are sent to the schools in mid-summer.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Purpose & Use
AP is a program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations in various courses.
Administration Dates
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- May 4-15, 2026 – please check with school counselor for specific content test dates
Results
Student reports are sent to the students and the schools directly from College Board. Distribution of results is usually in mid-summer.
Please speak with school counselors for AP course opportunities.
Dual Enrollment
Purpose & Use
Dual Enrollment is a program that allows high school students to enroll in college courses for credit prior to high school graduation. Dual enrollment offers an opportunity to obtain a ‘jump-start” on a college career.
Please speak with school counselors for more information.
Administration Dates
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- UTC
- Fall – December 3-9, 2025
- Spring – April 29 to May 5, 2026
- UTC
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- Chattanooga State
- Fall – December 2025
- Spring – 2026
- Chattanooga State
Results
Student reports are sent to the students and the schools directly from the colleges. Distribution of results is usually in mid-summer.
Statewide Dual Credit
Purpose & Use
Statewide dual credit classes are college-level courses taught at the high-school level by trained high-school teachers. Course learning objectives are developed by Tennessee high school and college faculty in order to ensure alignment with post-secondary standards. All statewide dual credit courses are approved by the Consortium for Cooperative Innovative Education before they can be offered as a part of the state’s current pilot program (see Public Chapter 967) for more information).
All students enrolled in a statewide dual credit course take the online challenge exam, which is used to assess mastery of the postsecondary-level learning objectives. Students which meet or exceed the exam ‘cut score’ receive college credit that can be applied to any Tennessee public postsecondary institution.
Please speak with school counselors for more information.
Administration Dates
- Fall – December 2-4 & 9-12, 2025
- Spring – April 15-16, 22-23, and April 29-May 1, 2026
Results
Exam scores are reported on the high school transcript to ensure postsecondary credit is accurately awarded but are not used in any state accountability measures.
Local Dual Credit
Purpose & Use
Local dual credit classes are college-level courses taught at the high-school level by trained teachers. High School course learning objectives are covered, and the development of the challenge exam is done by college faculty in order to ensure alignment with post-secondary standards. All students enrolled in a local dual credit course take the online challenge exam , which is used to assess mastery of the postsecondary -level learning objectives. Students which meet or exceed the exam ‘cut score’ receive college credit that can be applied to the local postsecondary institution offering the challenge exam.
Please speak with school counselors for more information.
Administration Dates
- April 6-17, 2026
Results
The courses are reported on the high school transcript and postsecondary institutions transcript to ensure postsecondary credit is accurately awarded but are not used in any state accountability measures.
