End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) for Block High Schools
The South Carolina Board of Education states that when students complete one of the “gateway” or “benchmark” courses for high school credit they must take the End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) test. Greenville County high schools that operate on block schedules will administer EOCEP tests. Those schools are Berea, Blue Ridge, Carolina, Greer, Travelers Rest, and Wade Hampton.
The EOCEP tests will be administered beginning January 7, 2015, in Greenville County Schools for students who attend schools that are offering Carnegie Units at the end of the first semester. Identified students who are enrolled in Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2, English 1, United States History and the Constitution, and Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 will participate in testing. Each school selects specific test dates beginning on January 7, 2015.
The EOCEP tests are multiple-choice and untimed, but two hours is the estimated test administration time for most students to complete the test. Each session must be completed during a single day unless the student has an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan specifying administration of a single test over several days.
Help teachers help your child perform to the best of his or her ability. For more information about testing or your child’s progress, please call your child’s school.
Testing Tips
Students should:
- Rest on the nights before these tests.
- Eat a nourishing breakfast on the morning of each test.
- Be in school and on time, except in cases of illness.
- Bring at least two #2 pencils to school. They are required for marking test answer documents.
- Listen attentively to the teacher’s directions so he/she will know exactly what to do.
- Read each test question and each response carefully before marking an answer choice.
- Stay calm, if there are questions that seem difficult.
- Mark his/her best answer.
- Refrain from bringing any electronic device that can be used for communicating, timing, or imaging into the testing location.
Parents should:
- Meet with your child’s teachers as often as necessary to discuss his/her progress.
- Check or review your child’s homework, projects, or other school work.
- Ask teachers to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and to improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork.
- Talk with your child about school.
- Provide positive feedback by praising your child for what he/she does well.