Testing Philosophy

Standardized Achievement Tests vs TAKS: Our testing philosophy

Q. Why do CCS students take TerraNova Standardized Achievement Test and public school students take the Texas Assessment of Knowledges and Skills (TAKS) test?
A. The TAKS exam only tests to see if a student achieved the minimum standard (i.e.: 70%) at each grade level. It answers the question: Did the student master the basic skills of third grade, for example, whereas the achievement test determines advanced grade level understanding. Another shortcoming of the TAKS test is that it is given only in Texas, so any comparisons can only be drawn among students in one state.

The TerraNova Standardized Achievement Test, however, covers a wider scope of students and at a deeper level. It tests for the achievement of essential grade-level elements and beyond. And, it is a national test that yields benchmarks against students in other schools across the nation as well as Christian school students in ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).

The nationally-known Duke University Talent Identification Program uses achievement test scores to identify academically talented students who might enjoy innovative programs to optimize their educational development.

Q. Do high school students use the TerraNova Achievement Test for their college entrance exam?
A. No. Colleges are interested in a prospective student's SAT scores and that is a completely different test.  Juniors and seniors in high school are encouraged to take the SAT, as well as the ACT test, for entrance to colleges and universities. Academically talented students entering seventh grade can take the SAT for a 'sneak preview' at how they will perform on the test as juniors in high school.

Q. What does CCS do with the achievement test results?
A. We track trends in student performance for each subject across the grade levels. We have over 10 years of data, which provides an excellent history for evaluating specific classes of students and trends in the school. While not the only parameter we use for evaluating our school programs, achievement tests do provide a useful metric for evaluating the end results of implementing new textbooks, classroom programs, teaching styles, etc.