The Terra Nova test is an important tool to help teachers evaluate each student and his or her basic skills. The test allows teachers to determine whether students have mastered educational objectives such as reading, language and mathematics. Educational testing is but one tool among the many resources teachers have to determine students' instructional needs. The real value of these tests is that they are used by our schools to make curriculum refinements and adjustments at the local level. Our testing philosophy goes to the very heart of Catholic schools.
Facts are certainly important.
Terra Nova is used by hundreds of school systems and districts throughout the United States, including educational systems in 21 states, U.S. Department of Defense schools and 40 school districts in Illinois. This is the third consecutive year the Archdiocese has used the test. Scores in science and social studies were also above national norms. Third graders scored in the 62 nd percentile in science and social studies, fifth graders scored in the 66 th percentile in science and social studies, and seventh graders scored in the 65 th percentile in science and 73 rd percentile in social studies. In Catholic schools in the city, students overall scored in the 58 th percentile in third grade, the 60 th percentile in fifth grade and the 68 th percentile in seventh grade in the three core subjects of reading, language and mathematics.