• OCS TESTING OFFICE

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General Information

  • Assessment is an important part of teaching and learning because it gives us an opportunity to see what each student has learned, retained and is able to apply. Students are tested at various times throughout their K12 experience -- the majority of exams take place at pre-determined time periods to test knowledge attained during specific grades or in specific subjects. There are also exams required to graduate and to apply for college.

    The Orange County Schools’ Testing and Assessment Office is responsible for the training, distribution, administration, monitoring, and reporting for federal, state-mandated, and local (district) assessments. 

    The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) mandates specific tests and testing environments within our schools. OCS administration works closely with the state and leadership in our schools to make sure students have the accommodations they require and that the tests are administered according to strict accountability and security guidelines. Testing within public schools can often seem complicated, with numerous exams given at different times of year and at different grades.

    Below is a list of the mandatory North Carolina State Assessments.

    1. End-Of-Grade (EOG) Assessments are administered to students in grades 3-8 in English Language Arts and Mathematics and in grade 5 and 8 in Science.

    2. End-Of-Course (EOC) Assessments are administered to students registered in Biology, English II, Math 1, and Math 3.

    3. ACT: WorkKeys are part of North Carolina's College and Career Ready program.

    4. Alternate Assessments are available to students with disabilities as documented in their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.

    5. English Language Proficiency Test/ ACCESS for English Learners is administered to English Language Learners through the ESL office upon initial enrollment and then annually to determine English language proficiency.

    6. The North Carolina Field Testing Program collects the data necessary to generate high-quality and technically sound state tests as well as to inform assessment practices.

    7. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) also known as “the Nation’s Report Card,” is administered to selected schools to reflect what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas.

    Please see the links on the left for additional information.