First part of state’s new PASS test debuts on Tuesday, Wednesday

PICKENS — The Palmetto Assessment of State Standards, the state’s new standardized test, makes its debut across South Carolina on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The two-day assessment will be administered to students in third through eighth grades, according to a statement from the School District of Pickens County.

According to Act 282 passed by the state Legislature in June 2008, PASS replaces PACT as the statewide assessment program. In addition to writing, PASS includes tests in English language arts, math, science and social studies. Those tests will be administered over four days in May.

The writing test will consist of one extended-response item administered on the first day and multiple-choice items administered on the second day.

Each student’s extended response will be scored in four domains: content and development, organization, voice, and conventions. The four domains have been used in the past; however, the grading rubric has been updated to reflect the 2008 English language arts academic standards.

PASS tests are designed to provide detailed information about whether a student meets a particular standard and is performing at the appropriate grade level, according to the statement.

PASS test results will be used for school and district accountability. Results will also be used for federal accountability as defined in the No Child Left Behind Act.

Student scores will be reported as Exemplary, Met or Not Met. Spring 2009 assessment results will not be available until fall. In following years, results will be available by June 16.

Additional information, including sample items, is available on the South Carolina Department of Education’s Web site at http://ed.sc.gov.

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