State Testing

Blurb for elementary/middle parents

New laws passed by the South Carolina General Assembly have resulted in new tests that will be
administered during the spring of 2015 throughout our state. Students in Grades 3-8 will take a new,
timed test this school year called ACT Aspire. In Richland Two, our students will take the paper and
pencil ACT Aspire tests for writing, English, reading and mathematics. They will not take the optional
ACT Aspire test for science that some districts may use. This new test will help teachers understand
where their students are succeeding and where extra help or academic focus is needed. By having a
better understanding of a student’s skills, abilities, and knowledge, parents and teachers can determine
what students need to know to be successful in school in the future.

Students in Grades 4-8 will continue to take SCPASS for science and social studies. Schools have
the option of administering SCPASS as an online test or a paper and pencil test. Third-graders will
not take any state tests for science and social studies.

For more information on ACT Aspire, visit the Richland Two Assessment Web page or
the S.C. Department of Education’s ACT Web page.