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PARCC: The test everyone is talking about
Dear member,
In just 45 days, schools across New Jersey will begin administering the PARCC test to students in grades 3-11. And while schools have been hard at work preparing, we have heard from many parents who are concerned about what the new test will mean for their child.
When does testing begin? Is there anything I can do to help my child prepare? Why do we even need a new test? To help answer the most common questions about PARCC we have created a guide covering how it will impact teachers, parents and schools.
With the right assessments, standardized tests can provide schools and parents with powerful data to tailor instruction and support their child's development. By adopting a digital assessment and measuring proficiency against all, not just some of our state education standards, there is strong evidence PARCC will paint a clearer picture of student progress.
But this is still the first year PARCC will be in all schools. As parents we should always be cautious of these kind of changes and make sure that we are informed. There will surely be bumps in the road and as parents we can play an important role in ensuring they get addressed quickly and equitably, not just in schools with ample resources. To do this we need to first understand what PARCC is meant to do.
Standardized tests should never be the only measure of student performance, however they are an important ingredient. That is why in the coming weeks we will be following the transition to PARCC closely - listening to the needs and concerns of all parents and evaluating how meaningful the results are.
Best,
Debbie Tyrrell
NJPTA President
NJPTA | 8 Quakerbridge Plaza | Suite F | Mercerville | NJ | 08619
