Credit by Exam

The Texas Education Agency mandates that school districts establish their own process for grade level acceleration. The Kindergarten Acceleration Program for NCISD tests students wishing to skip kindergarten and be placed directly into first grade. In order to qualify for Kindergarten Acceleration, the student must meet these qualifications:

• The student MUST be 5 years of age on or before September 1.
• The student MUST be registered for kindergarten for the current school year in NCISD.

If both of these qualifications are met, then a parent/guardian may request that his/her child test for placement in first grade. To determine whether testing and possible placement in first grade are the best options, parents, students and staff should consider the following:

• Academic rigor of first grade
• Social and emotional impact
• Effect of skipping a grade level on the student’s overall educational experience

New Caney ISD strongly encourages all learners to participate in kindergarten due to the social, developmental, emotional and academic benefits this grade level provides. In order to advance to first grade, the student must score 80% or above in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies on the district-approved assessments. Test content is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Kindergarten students. Exam scoring is facilitated by Texas Tech University and parents will be contacted once scores have arrived. If your child is recommended for acceleration, it will be on a probationary basis. Should the school or teacher feel it is in the best interest of the child to be placed back in kindergarten you will be contacted.

To accelerate a grade-level, students must score 80% or above in each subject tested (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) on the district-approved assessments. Exam scoring is facilitated by Texas Tech University and parents will be contacted once scores have arrived.

Students must score 80% or above on 10 semester exams (two semester exams for each content area) in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Art.  Several content areas require students to complete work prior to taking the examination, so students must read the review packet for each content area (available here) carefully in order to be eligible to proceed with testing. Failure to complete ALL prerequisite work prior to the scheduled examination will result in cancellation of tests, and forfeiture of that particular testing window.