Effingham County students in grades 3-8 will take the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test beginning on April 16.

Following is the schedule for students to take the different sections of the CRCT:
April 16 – Reading
April 17 – English/Language
April 18 – Mathematics
April 23 – Science
April 24 – Social Studies

The test determines how well students have mastered the performance standards assessed by the Georgia Department of Education. Each student receives results, which are shared with parents.

In addition, each school and school system receives results. That information allows school officials to determine the strengths and weaknesses in instruction and to plan for improvement.

Third-grade students are required to pass the reading portion of the CRCT to be promoted to the next grade level, while fifth- and eighth-grade students are required to pass both the reading and math portions to be promoted. Students who do not pass those portions will receive information on remediation/re-test opportunities.

For more information about the CRCT, visit the Georgia Department of Education Web site, www.gadoe.org.

School officials stress the importance of school attendance during the administration of the CRCT. They urge parents to make sure children get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, arrive on time on the days of testing and are not picked up prior to the conclusion of testing each day.

The Georgia Department of Education offers study guides to help students prepare for the CRCT. The guides are available online at http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/CRCT-Study-Guides.aspx.