Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, or CRCT, scores measure how successfully students in the Georgia school system acquire knowledge and skills. As a measure of the quality of education in Georgia, the CRCT helps provide educators with an outline of student's strength and weaknesses statewide as opposed to offering nationwide comparisons. As described in the Georgia Performance Standards, academic areas tested include math, reading and language arts. Science and social studies are also assessed in grades three through eight.
Step 1
Beginning at the top section of the CRCT test, the student's information for identification is listed on both the left and right hand sides of the report. This information includes the student's name, identification number, sex, grade level, class, school and district.
Step 2
Located underneath the information section of the CRCT on the left is the Lexile score. This score helps in matching a student's reading ability with comparable reading material. Student Lexile scores, in grades one through twelve, range from Beginning Reader to 1700L. These scores also reflect two reading ranges-- "Leisure" and "Challenging." The CRCT is aligned with the Lexile framework, which allows teachers an additional assessment of a student's reading skills.
Step 3
Starting on the left side of the CRCT Score Report, below the identification section, each tested content area is shown. Using test results from the CRCT, you can begin the process of comparing individual student scores with those of other students tested throughout Georgia.
Step 4
The student's scale score appears next to the specific content area. Scale scores are consistent across all tests for the same content. All tests administered covering the same subject area and grade level have equal value regardless of where in the state the test is taken. For example, a scale score of 225 from one testing of the grade 3 Language Arts CRCT indicates the same performance level as a score of 225 from any other grade 3 Language Arts CRCT testing. .
Step 5
To the right of the scale score is a designation as to how the student's score compares with others taking the exact test. Performance data is then designated into three sections -- "Does Not Meet" (Level 1), "Meets" (Level 2) and "Exceeds the Standard" (Level 3).