CAPT Information
The Connecticut Academic
Performance Test, more commonly known as CAPT, is a standardized test
taken by all 10th graders in Connecticut. Students are tested in their
knowledge of the four main academic areas, English, Social Studies,
Math, and Science. It is required that students pass all four tests in
order to graduate high school. Sophomores who do not pass a CAPT test
in one particular area will be given the chance to take the test again
as Juniors.
In an effort to test more
comprehensively, some areas of the CAPT require writing, rather than
just multiple choice questions. This is the case for the Response to
Literature section of the English test. Students are asked to read a
short story, then answer four questions about their interpretation of
that story. Responses are graded wholistically, that is, students are
given one grade for all four questions. Strong answers include examples
and quotes from the text to provide support for interpretations and
opinions. These are skills that we teach at New Milford High School. As
a result, New Milford's CAPT scores have gone up in each of the past
three years. We expect an even greater level of achievement this year.
For more information on
the CAPT, visit the Connecticut
Department of Education
website.
