NC Check-Ins
Purpose
NC Check-Ins are interim assessments developed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) that are aligned to North Carolina grade-level content standards (for reading and mathematics) and North Carolina Essential Standards (for science). The following NC Check-Ins are available:
- Grades 3–8 Reading (measures all assessible grade-level content standards and increases in text complexity)
- Grades 3–8 Mathematics (measures selected subsets of grade-level content standards)
- Grades 5 and 8 Science (measures Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science)
- NC Math 1 (measures selected subsets of course content standards)
The main purpose of NC Check-Ins is to provide students, teachers, and parents with immediate in-depth action data and a reliable estimate of students’ current performance on selected subsets of content standards. Both the end-of-grade (EOG) tests and the end-of course (EOC) tests share a common item bank with the NC Check-Ins, which then exposes NC Check-In students to similar item types and rigor found on the EOGs and EOCs.
The NCDPI does not have validity evidence to support using results from NC Check-Ins as a predictor of student performance on the EOG or EOC summative tests. Even though there is evidence of a significant correlation between scores from NC Check-Ins and EOGs/EOCs, this correlation evidence by itself does not signify prediction. The overall value of NC Check-Ins is in the use of data for formative purposes throughout the year to help students and teachers adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students’ achievement of intended instructional outcomes.
Resources
Test Specifications
NC Check-Ins Reading at Grades 3–8
NC Check-Ins Mathematics at Grades 3–8
Assessment Briefs
Gridded Response Activity and Practice Sheets
- Mathematics Grade 5 Practice Activity
- Gridded Response Grade 5 Practice Sheet
- Gridded Response Grade 5 Practice Sheet (6 grids)
- Mathematics Grades 6–8 Practice Activity
- Gridded Response Grades 6–8 Practice Sheet
- Gridded Response Grades 6–8 Practice Sheet (6 grids)
- NC Math 1 Practice Activity
- NC Math 1 Practice Sheet
- NC Math 1 Practice Sheet (6 grids)
Sample Answer Sheets
Reading
Grade |
NC Check-In 1 |
NC Check-In 2 |
NC Check-In 3 |
---|---|---|---|
3 | Answer Sheet | Answer Sheet |
Answer Sheet |
4 |
Answer Sheet | ||
5 |
Answer Sheet | ||
6 |
Answer Sheet | ||
7 |
Answer Sheet | ||
8 |
Answer Sheet |
Grade |
NC Check-In 1 |
NC Check-In 2 |
NC Check-In 3 |
---|---|---|---|
3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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NC Math 1 |
n/a |
Grade |
NC Check-In Earth |
NC Check-In Physical |
NC Check-In Life |
---|---|---|---|
5 |
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8 |
Testing Windows
Reading at Grades 3–8 Mathematics at Grades 3–8 Science at Grades 5 and 8 |
|
NC Check-In 1 | October–November |
NC Check-In 2 | January–February |
NC Check-In 3 | March–April |
NC Math 1 (Year-Long Course) |
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NC Check-In 1 | November–December |
NC Check-In 2 | March–April |
NC Math 1 (Block 1: Fall Semester) |
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NC Check-In 1 | Sept. 16–Oct. 31, 2019 |
NC Check-In 2 | November–December |
NC Math 1 (Block 2: Spring Semester) |
|
NC Check-In 1 | February–March |
NC Check-In 2 | April–May |
State Item Data
For 2019–20, NC Check-Ins were built from statewide field-tested items and the data are derived from a representative sample of students from across the state. This data differs from previous NC Check-In data, which were run after testing was completed and was only comprised of data from the schools that administered the NC Check-Ins.
Please note that comparing results to state-level results is not particularly meaningful. Different schools and classes may be at different places in covering the content based on testing windows and calendars. The purpose of the NC Check-Ins is to provide individual and classroom level formative feedback. Comparisons to other classrooms, schools, or local education agencies (LEAs) is neither encouraged nor advised. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is providing the state-level report for general information purposes only. It would be a misinterpretation for an LEA to conclude that their students performed better or worse than another LEA or the state. The value in the NC Check-In results is for teachers to determine if their students have learned the content standards that were covered in their classrooms prior to the assessments.
Reading |
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Grade 3 | NC Check-In 1 Report | NC Check-In 2 Report | NC Check-In 3 Report |
Grade 4 |
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Grade 5 |
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Grade 6 |
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Grade 7 |
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Grade 8 |
Mathematics |
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Grade 3 |
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Grade 4 |
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Grade 5 |
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Grade 6 |
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Grade 7 |
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Grade 8 |
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NC Math 1 | NC Check-In 1 Report | NC Check-In 2 Report |
Science |
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Grade 5 |
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Grade 8 |
Supplemental Materials
NC Check-Ins Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (Published October 2020)
NC Check-Ins School Talking Points (Published October 2020)
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