End-of-Course Testing

Fall 2010 Update

In 2010−2011, which tests do repeating ninth graders take to meet graduation requirements?

The tests a student must pass to meet graduation requirements are determined by when the student first entered the ninth grade. Since the students first entered the ninth grade prior to 2010−2011, they must pass the GEE to meet graduation requirements.

In 2010−2011, which students may retake an EOC test?

Any entering ninth grade public school student who completed Algebra I and/or Geometry for high school credit before the ninth grade and did not score Fair or above on the EOC test is permitted to retest in December. If the student is unsuccessful in December 2010, then the student should retest in May 2011. For the high schools on block schedules, any entering ninth grade student who tests in December 2010 and does not score Fair or above should retest in May 2011.

Can students skip the December test and take the May test?

Eligible retest students may decide to wait until the May test to be better prepared for testing.

What are the transfer rules for students entering the public schools from nonpublic or out-of state schools?

EOC Transfer Rules (§1829. Bulletin 118: Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices)

A. The following rules apply for transfer students who are Louisiana residents transferring into the Louisiana public school district from out-of-state schools, nonpublic schools, or approved home study programs.

1. A transfer student is not required to take the EOC tests for courses he/she already successfully completed for Carnegie credit.

2. A transfer student shall be required to take the EOC test for courses he/she previously took but did not pass.

3. A transfer student may choose to take an EOC test for a course he/she already successfully completed if he/she scored Needs Improvement on an EOC test in another course and the student must pass the EOC test for one of the EOC pairs.

Note: The EOC pairs are Algebra I and Geometry, English II and English III, and Biology and American History.

Examples:

 If the student earns the Carnegie units for both Algebra I and Geometry from an out-of-state school, nonpublic school, or approved home study program, then the student does not have to take either EOC test.

 If the student earns the Carnegie unit in Algebra I at an out-of-state school, nonpublic school, or approved home study program and earns the Carnegie unit in Geometry at a Louisiana public school, then the student must take the Geometry EOC test. If the student scores Needs Improvement on the Geometry EOC Test, the student can take the Algebra I EOC test and/or retake the Geometry EOC test.

 If the student earns the Carnegie unit in Algebra I, Geometry, English II, English III, and Biology in an out-of-state school, nonpublic school, or approved home study program and then earns the Carnegie unit American History in a Louisiana public school, then American History is the ONLY EOC test the student is required to take.

 If the student from an out-of-state school, nonpublic school, or approved home study program earned Carnegie units in all six EOC courses, then the student does NOT take any EOC tests.

Are students in an approved home study program permitted to take the EOC tests?

No, students enrolled in an approved home study program are not permitted to take EOC tests.

Which students may request a rescore?

Any student who takes an EOC test that is part of their graduation requirement may request a rescore if they miss the Fair achievement level by 10 or fewer scale-score points.

What happens if a student earns Carnegie units for a course but does not score Fair or above on the EOC test for the course?

If a student does not score Fair or above, the student must retake the EOC test unless the student has scored Fair or above on the other course in the EOC pair: Algebra I or Geometry, English II or English III, and Biology or American History.

What happens if a student fails to earn the Carnegie unit for a course but scores Fair or above on the EOC test for the course?

A student who fails a course but passes the EOC test for the course must retake the course, either by repeating the whole course or through credit recovery. At the completion of the course, that student will take the EOC test again. If the student does not score Fair or above, the student would retain the higher achievement level as defined by the Double Jeopardy rule, in

Bulletin 118.

Will students be allowed to retake the EOC for a higher score for the purpose of earning diploma endorsements?

BESE has not yet considered a policy revision that would allow students to retake EOC tests in order to earn a higher score for a diploma endorsement.

In which courses must the EOC test score count as part of the final grade in 2010−2011?

In 2010−2011, EOC tests for Algebra I, English II, and Geometry must be counted in the students’ final grades. This applies to all students taking courses that require one of these EOC tests.

How often will students be able to retake the EOC test?

Students will be allowed to retest in December and May of each school year.

Since EOC tests count as the graduation test only for incoming freshmen in 2010−2011 and thereafter, do students in grades 10, 11, and 12 still participate in EOC testing?

Yes, students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who are in a course that requires Algebra I, English II, or Geometry EOC test will participate because the score on the EOC test is included in calculating a student’s course grade.

How will EOC testing be handled for homebound students?

If the student is able to come to a testing site and be tested there, that is the preferred method of assessing the student. If the student is unable to go to a testing site, the district should make arrangements for testing the student.

Will students in AP American History and AP English III take the EOC test?

Yes, students enrolled in AP American History take the EOC American History test when the test becomes available. Yes, students enrolled in AP English III will take the EOC English III test when the test becomes available.