PARCC, an abbreviation for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, features a group of states that have partnered together to develop a standard set of assessments for students to measure whether they are ready for life after high school or not. The tests are computer-based and high-quality K-12 assessments in English Language Literacy/Arts and Mathematics.
The Purpose of PARCC Testing
The various states that have taken part in these standardized tests believe that with the help of PARCC testing, the students would be on track for success when they enter college life and beyond. They are also shown to provide the tools necessary for teachers and educators to customize learning according to the needs of students. Therefore, the states have administered PARCC testing for the school year of 2014 and 2015.
The committee strongly believes that this assessment will act as a tool to enhance learning and teaching since the tests are more in line with the rigorous and new CCSS or Common Core State Standards. These standards ensure that the children are on the right path in terms of their future careers and learning after high school, and this is done by measuring the amount of knowledge these students should possess at each level. The committee also intends to provide teachers and parents with up-to-date information regarding the students that are falling behind and, as a result, might need additional help in excel. This, they believe, will help in making the system better.
The states involved in PARCC testing include the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Ohio, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, Colorado, and Arkansas. In addition to this, Pennsylvania acts as a participating state.
PARCC Test Practice: Online Resources for Your Children
The Concerns That Parents Have Regarding This Testing
In an open letter to President Barrack Obama, one concerned parent expressed worry about this type of testing. She stated that she too had a daughter, Eva, who was the same age as the president’s younger daughter, Sasha. However, a significant difference between their daughters was that Sasha went to private school whereas Eva went to public school. Therefore, due to going to private school, she did not have to face the PARCC testing imposed on her daughter Eva.
In the letter, the mother stated that the questions asked in the assessment were tough and could not easily be comprehended by an adult, let alone a seventh-grader. She said that her daughter was extremely bright, and she called the questions in the test “stupid”, “impossible”, and “crazy”.
Many other parents have expressed the same concern more or less, with many of them opting their children out of these tests altogether. Some parents are even concerned that this testing adds to the overall load that children have in school, especially since they have to take many other tests. Preparing for these tests also hinders children’s progress since they have to spend so much of their time preparing for them.
Many parents have felt that the questions on these tests do not test students’ abilities at a certain level since they are far more complex. In some of the cases, even the adults will not be able to answer specific questions. Considering the level of difficulty and the amount of effort the children have to put in, it is not fair that the children have to go through all of that. Parents thus fear that their children will be put under a lot of pressure, and they would have to memorize as opposed to learn really for such kinds of tests, which they feel is unfair.
So, while the states think that the PARCC testing is for the best, many concerned parents and students think otherwise. While it is still unknown whether the testing will continue in the future, the strict opposition might put intense pressure on the committee.
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