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 9-12. The attached testing calendar addresses the administration dates of these tests. 

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 9-12 

• 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 10 and 11, mathematics at grades 10 and 11 and science at grades 10 and 11. 

State Assessments for Grades 9-12 

• End-of-Course Tests (EOC): Students who are enrolled in Biology, English II, Math 1 or Math 3 are required to take the appropriate End-of-Course test. These assessments are given during the last five days of the semester. 

• North Carolina Check-Ins for NC Math 1: These are interim assessments developed and aligned to content standards for NC Math 1. These will be administered two times during the semester to provide immediate feedback on student understanding of the content standards. 

• PreACT: This is administered to all 10th graders and provides students with knowledge of ACT type questions. The assessment includes four multiple-choice tests: English, math, reading and science. 

• The ACT: All enrolled 11th grade students will take The ACT. This assessment is designed to measure a students’ learning in English, Math, Reading, and Science. These assessments are multiple-choice tests. 

• ACT WorkKeys: This assessment is administered to all students identified as a Career and Technical Education concentrator. The three assessments include Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. 

• College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment Grade 10: This is an alternate assessment for participation in the PreACT and is for students with disabilities enrolled in tenth grade who have an IEP and meet the required criteria. It is a multiple-choice test and is administered online. 

• College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment Grade 11: This is an alternate assessment for participation in The Act and is for students with disabilities enrolled in the eleventh grade who have an IEP and meet the required criteria. 

Catawba County Schools 

2020-2021 Catawba County Schools Testing Calendar Grades 9-12 Date Grades Test September 17-30 High School Only Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) Phase I Assessments September 22 or October 6 or October 20 

Grade 12 Seniors who missed The ACT standard test day in Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Standard Test Date for those 12th Graders that missed test day in Spring 2020 September 22 – October 2 or October 6-12 or October 20-26 

Grade 12 Seniors who missed the ACT accommodations test window during Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Accommodations Test Window for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment (CCRAA) for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 October 6 or October 20 

Grade 12 Seniors who missed The ACT standard test day in Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Standard Test Date for those 12th Graders that missed test day in Spring 2020 October 6-12 or October 20-26 

Grade 12 Seniors who missed the ACT accommodations test window during Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Accommodations Test Window for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment (CCRAA) for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 October 12-23 High School Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 1 

Access to assessment and review period closes on October 31 This assessment can be administered remotely. October 20 Grade 12 Seniors who missed The ACT 

standard test day in Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Standard Test Date for those 12th Graders that missed test day in Spring 2020 October 20-26 Grade 12 Seniors who missed the ACT 

accommodations test window during Spring 2020 

ACT Makeup Accommodations Test Window for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment (CCRAA) for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 

NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment for those 12th Graders that missed testing in Spring 2020 October 22 Grade 10 at Challenger Early College 

High School 

PreACT 

November 12-24 High School Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 2 

Access to assessment and review period closes on December 18. This assessment can be administered remotely. November 16 – December 15 

Grade 12 WorkKeys –Standard and Accommodated Administrations (online) – All 

eligible students December 14-18 Challenger High School Fall Semester Biology/English II/Math I/Math 3 EOCs 

Teacher-made Final Exams December 14-18 Traditional High Schools 

End-of-Course Subjects CTE Courses Teacher-Made Final Exams 

Fall Semester Biology/English II/Math I/Math 3 EOCs CTE Final Exams 

January High Schools Practice ACT January 25 - March 5 All Grades -- EL Students ACCESS for ELLs/Alternate ACCESS for ELLs February Grade 10 College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment February 15-26 High School Only Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) Phase I Assessments February 22- March 5 High School Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 1 

Access to assessment and review period closes on March 31. This assessment can be administered remotely. February 23 Grade 10 Grade 11 

PreACT The ACT Initial Test Date (without writing) February 23-26 March 1-5 

Grade 11 The ACT Accommodations Window 

College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment March 9 Grade 11 The ACT Makeup Date March 9-12, 15-19 Grade 11 The ACT Makeup Accommodations Testing Window 

College and Career Readiness Alternate Assessment Makeup Window NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment Makeup Window April 12 – 23 Grade 12 ACT WorkKeys Standard and Accommodated Administrations (Online) April 19-30 High School Math 1 NC Math 1 Check-In 2 

Access to assessment and review period closes on May 31. This assessment can be administered remotely. May 17-28 High School Math I, English II and 

Biology 

NCEXTEND1 Alternate Assessment 

May 17-21 Challenger High School Spring Semester English II/Math I/Math 3/Biology EOCs 

Teacher-made Final Exams 

May 24-28 

Traditional High Schools End-of-Course Subjects CTE Courses Teacher-Made Final Exams 

Spring Semester English II/Math I/Math 3/Biology EOCs CTE Final Exams 

• WIDA ACCESS Placement (W-APT) -- Initial assessment required within 45 calendar days of enrollment.