The Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) were a set of tests[1][2] administered at public schools in the state of Georgia that are designed to test the knowledge of first through eighth graders in reading, English/language arts (ELA), and mathematics, and third through eighth graders additionally in science and social studies.
Georgia law, as amended by the A+ Education Reform Act of 2000, requires that all students from first to eighth grade take the CRCT in the content areas of reading, English/language arts, and mathematics. Students in grades three through eight are also assessed in science and social studies. The CRCT only assesses the content standards outlined in the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards which is the curriculum that Georgia teachers are required to teach.
The CRCT was implemented in spring 2000. That year, summative, end-of-year assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades four, six, and eight. Assessments in science and social studies (grades three through eight) were administered for the first time in spring 2002. Additionally, assessments in reading, English/language arts, and mathematics were administered in grades one, two, three, five, and seven in spring 2002.[3]
Students in grades 3, 5, and 8 were required to pass the CRCT to be promoted to the next grade.
The state also included Lexile measures with scores for students in grades 3-8.[4] A Lexile measure can be used to match readers with targeted text and monitor growth in reading ability.
The CRCT was last used in the 2013-2014 school year. It was replaced by the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, which contains thought-provoking questions, norm-referenced items, online administration, and a writing component.[1][2]