The results of the PARCC test are now out for New Jersey and they do not look good at all. Was and is it a worthwhile test worthy of its stated goals or a political boondoggle that should have never come about?
Well if you consider the following as a success then you need to reevaluate. A grade-by-grade breakdown of the overall scores published by NJ.com showed that only 23 percent of 11th graders were performing at grade level or better in the Algebra II testing and 41 percent were at the grade level they should be in English. If that is not a set of terrible results then what constitutes such a result?
Many students indicated to their parents that they did not take the test seriously and at the same time a good number of parents opted their children out of taking the test. Without the respect of both the students taking the test and the teachers who teach for it, this test was doomed from the beginning. No one in higher echelon of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) supported the PARCC test and without their support its membership for the most part did not take it very seriously.
This is one test that just about everyone knew that it was doomed from the start and with the errors within the test answers it just about guarantees that without political support this test will not be used again. Does this mean that our children are not ready for college? In a word, no. The test is so flawed that it was not something that can really be used to find out what our children have learned. It is better to look at the tests that normally happen every week or so in their classes to see how they are really progressing. This is a better indication than any test like PARCC or even better than the SAT!
On the state department of education website the following statement is made, “The PARCC assessments were created to measure students’ ability to apply their knowledge of concepts rather than memorizing facts. The PARCC assessments require students to solve problems using mathematical reasoning and to be able to model mathematical principles. In English Language Arts (ELA), students will be required to closely read multiple passages and to write essay responses in literary analysis, research tasks and narrative tasks. The assessments will also provide teachers and parents with valuable information on student progress to inform instruction and provide targeted student support in school and at home.” If you take that at face value then the PARCC test results show a total failure on the part of our teachers and administrators. But, in reality it is not the fault of the teachers at all.
Education experts gathered on October 20th to hear the state Department of Education pronouncement said, “that PARCC provides a more accurate picture of student performance than New Jersey’s previous standardized assessments. Business leaders and college presidents criticized the previous standardized tests for not accurately gauging student ability and leaving too many graduates unprepared for college and jobs after high school.” When you take a look at the results of our school children’s regular school tests and then compare them, the individual student results should be out in the near future, you will see that the PARCC test is not truly showing the learning potential of our children. And that it is a very flawed test that should be thrown on the heap of failed testing ideas.
I really think that our teachers are doing a fine job in teaching and that just because PARCC says otherwise we should not fear for their academic future.
That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike
