End of Course Tests Policy

Updated 2/26/2007
On October 29, 1998, in compliance with TCA 49-1-608 and TCA 49-6-6001(a)(1), the State Board of Education designated seven high school courses for the development of end-of-course examinations.

In the High School End-of-Course Tests Policy, it is stipulated that beginning with students entering the ninth grade in 2001-2002, students must successfully pass Gateway Examinations in three subjects: Algebra I, Biology I, and English II. The other four areas to be tested are Math Foundations, Physical Science, English I, and United States History.

The state will administer Gateway Examinations and other end-of-course tests in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Gateway course tests (Algebra I, Biology I, and English II), required as prerequisites for a high school diploma, will be given at course completion. Passing scores will be determined by the State Board of Education.
• Students passing a Gateway course test, but who fail the course will be required to take the Gateway test again after completing the course on the next attempt. The results of this Gateway test will be calculated as 15% of the final grade.
• Seventh and eighth grade students taking Algebra I will be eligible to take the related Gateway test to meet the criteria for fulfilling their high school diploma requirements.
• The results of the four other subject matter tests (EOC) will be calculated as 15% of the final grade.grades.