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Catawba County Schools

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  3. Testing and Accountability

Testing and Accountability

Testing and Student Information

The Accountability Services Department works to make education better by promoting the academic achievement of all Catawba County Schools students and assisting parents, students and teachers in comparing that achievement to state and national standards.  The driving force of this mission is three-fold: the successful administration of reliable and valid assessments; uniform implementation and universal access to those assessments; and the provision of accurate and statistically reliable reports. 

Our current accountability standards are designed to improve achievement;  increase the number of students performing at grade level and the corresponding college and career-ready level; and to promote high student and teacher expectations. To get us there, we encourage parents to be involved in and informed about their child’s education.

District Contacts

  • Allen Ramsey
  • Director of Accountability & Student Information
  • p. 828.464.8333
  • email

 

  • Amy Sigmon
  • Manager, District Data Manager
  • email
     
  • Mark Norton
  • Administrative Assistant
  • email
     
  • Cindy Loudermelk
  • Lead Data Manager
  • email

Testing Calendar & Information

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction designs and manages statewide assessments that are administered to students enrolled in public and charter schools in grades 3–12. These assessments serve several purposes for the schools, the state, and federal guidelines. 

The State Accountability Model

  • Formerly known as the ABC's and the READY MODEL, the accountability program sets growth and performance standards for each elementary, middle, and high school in the state.

    • District, County, and State data are used to inform instructional decisions.
    • Data and assessment analysis are utilized to better understand student progress.
    • Assesses standards to ensure that what the student is learning will serve him or her well in the future, regardless of the path he or she follows.

    • The percentage of students who scored at achievement levels 1-5. Level 3 is considered proficient, while levels 4 and 5 are considered college and career ready.
    • Student growth calculations. The rate at which students learned over the past year. Schools can meet growth goals, not meet growth goals, or exceed growth goals.
    • Performance on the other high school indicators:  ACT, ACT WorkKeys, 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate, and Math Rigor.

  • In October 2013, the North Carolina State Board of Education adopted new college and career readiness Academic Achievement Standards and Academic Achievement Descriptors for the End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests and alternate assessments. These standards and descriptors (that are explained at the links below) allow you to compare your child's performance to grade/course level expectations. 
     

    EOG results for Grades 3–8 Reading and the EOC test results for English II will be available upon the North Carolina State Board of Education's adoption of academic achievement standards and cut scores for reading.