The information on this page came from the State Department of Education's on-line resources and from a document entitled PACT Survival Kit which can be accessed through the SCNSPRA website. 

PACT (The Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests) is a rigorous testing program designed to measure the achievement levels of South Carolina students. It replaced the Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP), which was almost 20 years old and only measured the ability of students to meet minimum achievement levels.  PACT does not compare one child to other students. Each child's PACT test is scored against the academic standards for his or her grade level and subject area. Results are reported by state, district, school and student as well as by gender, race, free and reduced lunch, and Title I.  PACT scores are a part of the school and district report cards.

Why did we need a new test?  Why did South Carolina decide to develop PACT?
We did this so our students can compete successfully with those in the rest of the country and around the world. As South Carolinians, we want our children to be able to meet the challenges they face in the future. So, together, South Carolina's citizens, educators and legislators decided that the education system in South Carolina needed improvement. During the 1998 legislative session, the South Carolina General Assembly passed the South Carolina Education Accountability Act, designed to establish a standards-based accountability system for education. The Act called for new state curriculum standards to define what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through grade twelve.  The state began developing curriculum frameworks in each academic area.  The frameworks outlined broad goals in each academic area specifying what students should know and be able to do as they progress through school. The next step was the development of grade-by-grade standards, directly related to the curriculum frameworks. These standards go a step further and describe in greater detail what students should be learning.  PACT  was developed to measure more accurately what the students in South Carolina should know as outlined in the frameworks and the standards, and teachers now focus their instruction on what the State Board of Education says students must learn.  PACT  was developed by teachers, college and university faculty, and professional test writers.  The Basic Skills Assessment Program (or BSAP) that South Carolina used for almost 20 years measured only whether our students could or could not meet a basic or minimum standard necessary for that grade.

Because PACT is much more academically challenging than the old BSAP tests, early test results were expected to be lower than previous BSAP scores. That has been the case in every state where a new testing program has been put into place. Once students become more accustomed to this type of test and the standards are fully implemented, scores will rise. 

Why Test?
Tests are a part of life. They are useful for measuring our skills, our knowledge and our attainment of standards.

In today's society, there's a lot of testing. If you want a driver's license, there's a written test and a driving test. To get a job, you often have to take a test.

Of course, public school students in South Carolina take many tests:

• PACT (Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests)
• BSAP Exit Exam (SC Basic Skills Assessment Program)
• MAT7 (Metropolitan Achievement Tests, Seventh Edition)
• NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
• School district tests
• Classroom tests
• Tests to get into college or the military

Every year, test results for students across South Carolina are reported in the news media. On some tests, scores go up. On others, scores drop or remain the same.  We learned two things from all these tests and comparisons:  

1. Students in South Carolina must do better on the tests they take.
2. The standards for our state tests were too low.

As a state, we must raise standards and better prepare our students to meet them, so they will be ready for work and college. 

State tests are given for two reasons:

1. To measure students' level of achievement and progress each year. Schools and parents need information about how students are performing. That information tells teachers and school administrators what students have learned and where they need additional help.

2. To hold schools accountable for their effectiveness.  The public - parents, the community, businesses and the Legislature - has a right to know how schools are performing.  Schools that need help are given extra support and assistance so student performance and test scores can improve.

Parent Questions about PACT

What type of questions are on the test?
The test includes multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short-answer and essay questions. Other parts require students to draw solutions and complete graphs, tables and charts. At first students may find these questions difficult to answer simply because they are not accustomed to them. However, with instruction and practice students will understand how to respond. To give you an idea of how this test is different, click here.

Are all students required to take the test?
Yes, all students within a tested grade level are required to take the test. The only exception is students whose Individual Education Programs (IEP) indicate this type of testing is inappropriate. In addition, students that are home-schooled under the supervision of a district will also be tested.

How will my child be prepared to take this test and do well? 
The new test is based on established grade by grade standards. Districts, schools and teachers have these standards and have included them in their curriculum. Teachers and schools also have access to sample test items and workshops have been conducted to ensure that school personnel are knowledgeable about the content of the test. 

How can I help prepare my child for PACT?
Read to your child and let your child see you reading. Make sure your child attends school regularly.  Talk often with your child's teacher either in person or by telephone.  Monitor your child's homework and progress at school.  Become more involved in school activities such as parent/teacher associations or organizations.  Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and a well-balanced diet every day.  Provide a quiet comfortable place for studying at home.  Encourage your child to take challenging courses.  Let your child know that you believe doing his or her best in school is important.  Be careful what your child hears you say to others about his math or reading abilities or about your own.  Children may use this as an excuse not to learn. "But, you said you can't do math either."  As a parent, you can help prepare your child by learning about the standards, working closely with teachers and encouraging your child to pay attention and complete assignments.  We must work within our communities to build support and set high expectations for our children and our schools.

How is the test scored to be sure it is fair?
The State Department of Education contracts with Data Recognition Corporation in Minnesota.  A computer program is used to score multiple-choice questions.  Data Recognition Corporation uses trained professionals to score students' PACT essay questions.  These professionals undergo a rigorous and ongoing training program and are constantly monitored. One question is scored at a time and each question is scored by two different people to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Who determined the minimum scores? How?
A committee of 96 teachers and subject area coordinators from across South Carolina met in September to set "cut scores" (passing scores) for the tests. In effect, they decided which questions in each area a student should answer correctly to get a score of Below Basic, Basic, Proficient or Advanced.

Will I be informed of my child’s test results? What kind of information will the results tell me about my child?
Parents receive their child’s overall test results and will know how their child scored on the test.  In addition, parents will know subjects where their child is advanced or may need remediation. This test does not compare your child to other students; instead your child’s achievement is weighed against the academic standards.  Comparison data between schools is also  provided so parents will know how their child’s school compares to other schools in the state.

If a student scores proficient on PACT does that mean that he/she compares favorably with children across the nation?
Yes, even though PACT is given only in South Carolina.  PACT is based on South Carolina standards that are similar to standards in other states.

What happens to a student who scores Below Basic in an area on PACT?
The child's teacher and parent must develop an Academic Assistance Plan for any student who scored Below Basic in the content area he/she is failing to meet standards.

 What is an Academic Assistance Plan?
Administrators and teachers hold a conference with the parents or guardian of any student who scores Below Basic in any area on PACT. At that conference those administrators, teachers and parents/guardians develop a written plan. This plan outlines what help the school will provide to the student and outlines what specific actions the parents and the student need to take in order to help that student meet standards.

If my child has an Academic Assistance Plan and moves, will he keep the plan?
The new school will receive the PACT scores and academic assistance plan when it gets the child's permanent record. A parent-teacher conference is suggested at the time of the move.

Will a student be retained based solely on PACT scores?
The Education Accountability Act provides that classroom grades, teacher judgment and PACT scores should be used to make retention decisions. The Act states students must be retained after he/she has failed to pass it after three consecutive years. The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee, charged with implementing and monitoring the EAA, is currently studying retention issues and has made recommendations for modifications to this requirement to the General Assembly.

Is summer school mandatory?
Districts must provide summer school opportunities for students not performing well academically. Any student who scored Below Basic on one or more portions of the PACT must have an academic assistance plan. Many district board policies require children on these plans to attend summer school.

What if my child's PACT scores are low but his/her grades have always been good?
Parents will need to talk with teachers and school administrators if a child's PACT scores are out-of-line with his or her grades.

How the state will assist teachers?
The South Carolina Department of Education provides workshops and information to teachers. Some of these include workshops to discuss PACT data and provide additional resource materials; staff development for district leaders focusing on improving teaching; more sample questions and mini-tests for teachers to use to prepare their students for PACT; and a brochure that gives a short description of the standards.

What happens to teachers whose students score Below Basic in an area on PACT?
Many factors might influence whether or not a teacher's class scores Below Basic on PACT. Districts study all student scores to see what conclusions they can draw about student achievement. Certainly, a district would look closely at a teacher whose classes do not perform well year after year.

How will teaching strategies be affected?
As districts change grade-level curriculum to match state standards, teachers are expected to focus more on problem solving and to teach language arts skills that require students to use more and different types of information.

What will the school or district do to ensure consistency of instruction throughout that school or district?
Administrators in school districts and in local schools are closely monitoring progress through classroom observations and review of teacher lesson plans to make sure grade-level standards are being taught. They will review district and school PACT results to look for areas that need improvement and then offer training for teachers.

Student Questions about PACT

Why do students have to take the test?
Our state wants all students to be prepared for the challenges they will face in the future. New standards have been developed for subjects taught in school. These standards tell teachers what they should be teaching their students. PACT is based on these standards and is a better way to measure what the students in South Carolina are learning. Tests are useful tools for measuring how well students are doing. Students need to take tests so that teachers and school administrators know what they have learned and where they need help. These tests also help us know which schools need support and assistance.

What is PACT like?
There is a language arts test, (reading, writing, listening) a mathematics test and a science test.  Some parts of the test will be multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short-answer and essay questions. Other parts may ask you to draw solutions and complete graphs, tables and charts.  To give you an idea of how this test is different, click here for an example of a BSAP question and a question from the PACT test.

Can I study for this test?
This test will measure what you have learned in school. The best way to be ready for it is to pay close attention to your teacher, always complete your class assignments and ask questions if you do not understand something. Your teacher will let you know other ways you can prepare, and your teacher will do practice exercises in class to help you be ready.  At home you can review your notes from class each evening when the material is still fresh in your mind, be prepared for class by doing your homework, and bring the necessary materials to class each day.  Also, take higher-level courses to challenge yourself to your fullest potential.

What if I do not do very well on the test?
The test results will help your teacher know what skills have been learned and what skills may need to be taught again.

How long is the test?
The tests for grades 1 through 3 have about 35-40 questions. The tests for grades 4 through 6 have about 45-55 questions and the tests for grades 7 through high school have about 55-80 questions. The tests are not timed, and students will have as much time as they need to complete them. It is expected that each test will take about 1 1/2 - 3 hours to complete except for the Language Arts test (reading, writing, listening) for sixth grade and above. Those tests will take 2-3 hours each day for two days.

What will the test results be used for?
The test results will be used to see what the students in South Carolina have learned as compared to what they should know at each grade level. Students who fail the test will have a special learning program designed for them to help them improve.

Do all states take this test?
Most states have a testing program, but PACT is only for students in South Carolina.

What scores can a student receive on PACT?
A student can receive a Below Basic, Basic, Proficient or Advanced score on each area tested. Students who receive a Below Basic score did not meet the standard for that area. In other words, they did not know and could not do what they should be able to do academically in that subject at that grade level. They do not know enough to move successfully to the next grade. Students who receive a Basic score on an area met the minimum standards for that area. That means that they knew and could do academic work at a minimum level in that subject at that grade level. They have the minimal amount of preparation needed to move to the next grade. Students who receive a Proficient score on an area mastered the work tested for that area. They are doing academically what we expect students in that subject at that grade level to do. They are well prepared for work at the next grade level. Students who receive an Advanced score rated very high on work tested for that area. This score indicates that they already are doing better than what is required in that subject at that grade level.