What is Credit By Exam No Prior Instruction?
Credit by Exam/Exam for Acceleration provides an opportunity to earn grade level or course credit in which no prior formal instruction was completed. Credit by Exam is designed for a small percentage of students who have an academic and emotional need to advance to the next grade level. Credit by Exam is not designed for grade level recovery after being retained in a previous grade level.
What are the eligibility requirements for a student to register for Credit By Exam?
Students must meet all eligibility requirements to register for CBE testing:
- Student is enrolled in a Southside ISD school.
- Kindergarten and First grade students must meet the state law age requirement
– 5 years old by September 1 for Kindergarten
– 6 years old by September 1 for First grade
- Registration form is completed and returned to school counselor by deadline.
- School counselor must sign registration form to verify student’s grade level and eligibility.
What are the registration deadlines?
Deadlines for each of the four testing windows—Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer for the 2017-2018 school year can be found on the Credit by Exam page of the Curriculum & Instruction Department>Testing webpage at https://southsideisd.org/curriculum-instruction/. Deadline information can also be found on the CBE Testing Calendar and on the registration form, both of which can be found in the counselor’s office at your child’s school.
What are the dates for Credit By Exam?
Southside ISD offers four testing opportunities throughout the year. Test dates can be found on the Credit by Exam page of the Curriculum & Instruction Department> Testing webpage, at https://southsideisd.org/curriculum-instruction/
What time should my student arrive at the testing location?
All students must arrive at the testing location by 8:00 a.m. The maximum amount of time allowed for each exam is 3 hours. If there are two tests administered that day, the afternoon session begins promptly at 1:00 p.m.
What is the testing site location and address?
Testing locations will occur on the child’s home campus.
We will be out of town on the testing dates listed can my child take the test on a different day?
SISD will strictly adhere to the scheduled testing dates. The district will not accept scores of testing completed outside of our district scheduled testing window without prior approval from the Testing Department.
How can my child study or prepare for the CBE exams?
Review materials may be found at: https://highschool.utexas.edu/cbe_study_guides.php.
Obtaining student textbooks referenced in the study materials is solely the responsibility of the parent.
Can my child use a calculator?
The calculator policy for UT can be found on the Credit by Exam page of the Curriculum & Instruction Department> Testing webpage, at https://southsideisd.org/curriculum-instruction/
What are the Credit By Exam score requirements to advance a grade level?
In order for a Kindergarten student to advance to first grade, he/she must score a minimum 80% in both the Math and Reading test.
For Grades 1- 5, students must score a minimum 80% on all subject area tests; math, reading/language, science and social studies.
What are the Credit By Exam score requirements to be awarded course credit?
Middle School courses are awarded credit for the entire year. A student must earn the minimum score of 80 percent on the exam in a subject area to be awarded course credit. Regular/Non-weighted course credit will be given. Middle school students who take and pass all four core content area subject exams will be promoted to the next grade.
High school students must take an exam for each semester of an academic course they wish to skip. A course taken for high school credit must meet the high school course requirement of scoring an average of 80 or above on each semester exam. Regular/non-weighted course credit will be given.
If my student does not score the minimum 80%, will the score be recorded on the student transcript?
Scores below 80% will not be recorded on the student’s permanent transcript.
My child did not make an 80% on one or more of the exams. Can I appeal the results?
The state has established a passing standard of 80%. Therefore, appeals of student results will not be considered.
I do not think my child’s test was scored correctly. Can I request a rescore?
Yes. You will need to call or come to the Testing office, which is located at 1680 Martinez Losoya and complete a Rescore Request Form. There will be a $35 charge to UT for each requested test to be rescored. Rescores could take up to 3-4 weeks.
If my child meets the passing score of 80% or above, can I choose whether or not to have my student enroll in the next grade level or course?
If the student meets the score requirements for an elementary grade level, once the parents sign the authorization to promote they do not have the option not to promote. If the student meets the score requirements for a secondary course, the student must be placed in the next grade level or course. The parent/guardian does not have the option of not promoting the student if they meet the grade level or course credit required.
What grade will my child test out of if he/she is taking Credit by Exam in September?
Students taking Credit by Exam in September will test out of the following year grade level (2018-2019). That is, a student enrolled in Kindergarten will take Grade 1 CBE. If the requirements are met, the student will remain in the current grade level until the end of the school year.
What grade will my child test out of if he/she is taking December, March, or May Credit by Exam?
All Credit by Exam tests will test out of the next grade level. For example, a student currently enrolled in Grade 1 will take the exams to test out of Grade 2. If the requirements are met, the student will remain in the current grade level until the end of the school year.
When will we receive the CBE results?
With the exception of some exams that must be hand scored by UT, most scores will be mailed to the parents within ten business days from the testing date.
What will happen if the results are not received before the first day of school?
The Credit by Exam schedule is designed with the intention that parents and campuses will receive the CBE results before the start of the school year. However, if the CBE results are not received by the first day of school, the student will begin the school year in the current enrolled grade level. If the student does meet the criteria to advance to the next course or grade level, the student will be moved to the new course or grade level, once the CBE results are received.
How many times can my child test for CBE?
A student is allowed one attempt at the grade level, or course exam.
