PARCC is a bad joke

Email received this afternoon from SOMSD:

"Update on PARCC Testing

PARCC Testing began before the break in the elementary and middle schools and at Columbia High School today.  The first week of testing went smoothly, with only a few minor issues. 

Pearson, the vendor that is hosting the PARCC testing service, experienced technical issues on their side today. Their systems became overloaded and some teachers and students were unable to log in as a result. Students who were able to login were able participate on the PARCC exam today.  Students who were not able to participate on the PARCC exam today will be rescheduled as appropriate.

If you have any questions regarding the testing schedule, please contact the main office your child’s school.

South Orange Maplewood School District"

They did bury the lead a bit, didn't they?

Went fine for my child today.  No big deal.

I wouldn't usually be such a word nerd, but this IS the education section.

susan1014 said:

They did bury the lead a bit, didn't they?

http://grammarist.com/usage/lead-lede/

jersey_boy said:

I wouldn't usually be such a word nerd, but this IS the education section.

susan1014 said:

They did bury the lead a bit, didn't they?

http://grammarist.com/usage/lead-lede/

I didn't know, either. 

Nice site. Thank you, jb, for introducing me to it.

As someone who knows a slot from a rim, a sidebar from a heave, a nut from a kicker and how to put the bulldog to bed, I can assure you that susan1014's "lead" is just fine.

For a bit of a deeper dive:

Calling the beginning of a story a ‘lede’ is just another form of nostalgia

And this today:

Dear School Community--
 Pearson has suggested postponing PARCC testing for today, April 20th, as a result of statewide issues with the administrative controls for the assessment. We are awaiting details about when the platform will be back up and running. Testing originally slated for today will be rescheduled and we will keep you informed about the adjusted schedule.
 Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Ryan
 

 
 
Michael G. Ryan, Ph.D.Assistant Superintendent 
Millburn Township Public Schools
michael.ryan@millburn.org

I'm curious (I know little about this, as my child is college-age) as to whether this is a state issue vs. a Pearson issue.

Another day of instruction down the drain.  Nice job Pearson.

PARCC cancelled for today -- Pearson problems appear to be statewide. Wonderful. Just wonderful. What a waste, especially for a test that (a) does not count except as one of many options for graduation, and (b) wipes out 8 days of regular school. 

I doubt if I am alone on this: PARCC should be abolished. It serves no purpose other than to let politicians say they are doing something and possibly enrich a company like Pearson. 

Jude said:

PARCC cancelled for today -- Pearson problems appear to be statewide. Wonderful. Just wonderful. What a waste, especially for a test that (a) does not count except as one of many options for graduation, and (b) wipes out 8 days of regular school. 

I doubt if I am alone on this: PARCC should be abolished. It serves no purpose other than to let politicians say they are doing something and possibly enrich a company like Pearson. 

I agree 100%.  The PARCC is a waste of time and money.

Jude said:

PARCC cancelled for today -- Pearson problems appear to be statewide. Wonderful. Just wonderful. What a waste, especially for a test that (a) does not count except as one of many options for graduation, and (b) wipes out 8 days of regular school. 

I doubt if I am alone on this: PARCC should be abolished. It serves no purpose other than to let politicians say they are doing something and possibly enrich a company like Pearson. 

Something that unites the right and the left.

Well, that's probably correct!

Bring back pencil and paper testing!  

Most of my students were able to test but a handful experienced technical difficulties and could not access the test.  I cannot explain in more detail because Pearson will track me down.  

If a pencil breaks, you can sharpen on the spot!  

One major problem with the PARCC is that it really doesn't tell us anything we don't already know.  The PARCC is the equivalent of me getting a 2nd opinion if my first doctor tells me I'm morbidly obese.  I suppose it is easier to get a succession of 2nd opinions that it would be for me to lose weight.

In the case of education, among other things, we need more money.

And, if it is the case as rumored, that kids graduating from "college prep" courses aren't prepared for college, how will we enforce academic rigor?  We aren't prepared to not grant high school diplomas if kids don't meet PARCC standards.  Some sort of alternative solution will be created.

One thing I hear about testing is that it is supposed to let you know how the student is doing.  Aren't students already being graded four times a year?

Another thing I've heard is that it is supposed to let you know which areas the student needs help with.  Shouldn't a good teacher already know which students need extra help an which areas they need the help with?  Or are the schools admitting that they have the classes so over sized that the teachers can no longer follow how the students are doing?  

spontaneous said:

One thing I hear about testing is that it is supposed to let you know how the student is doing.  Aren't students already being graded four times a year?

Another thing I've heard is that it is supposed to let you know which areas the student needs help with.  Shouldn't a good teacher already know which students need extra help an which areas they need the help with?  Or are the schools admitting that they have the classes so over sized that the teachers can no longer follow how the students are doing?  

Good points.  We already know a lot of this stuff.  But the PARCC reduces it to easier sound bites and statistics for politicians to crow about.

tjohn said:

spontaneous said:

One thing I hear about testing is that it is supposed to let you know how the student is doing.  Aren't students already being graded four times a year?

Another thing I've heard is that it is supposed to let you know which areas the student needs help with.  Shouldn't a good teacher already know which students need extra help an which areas they need the help with?  Or are the schools admitting that they have the classes so over sized that the teachers can no longer follow how the students are doing?  

Good points.  We already know a lot of this stuff.  But the PARCC reduces it to easier sound bites and statistics for politicians to crow about.

Ah, that makes perfect sense.  We have to dumb it down enough so that politicians can understand it.  

It's a standardized scale (PARCC assessment) which can be compared vs. unstandardized (teacher grading) which can't be compared.  

For example: does an "A" in one selected 5th grade math class in Newark mean the same thing as an "A" in one selected 5th grade math class in SOMSD, or in Millburn, or in Irvington?  

The PARCC can compare how much students in any of these places know about math.  Classroom grades cannot. 

spontaneous said:

One thing I hear about testing is that it is supposed to let you know how the student is doing.  Aren't students already being graded four times a year?

It is useless when results are only received months after the test.

Statewide problem.... Ours cancelled as well.  If you are going to roll out a test, why not make sure you are able to administer it prior to implementing it.  At least kids were able to take the NJASK, even if it wasn't the greatest test.  Last year, there were problems as well, why waste everyone's time unless you know that children are going to be able to take the test.   We were also told that the test was designed to test the school's ability to implement state curriculum, not so much to assess individual students, so the kids should not stress out about the test because it doesn't affect their grades.  So, at least last year, with all the implementation problems at the high school, kids just filled in random answers, or wrote rap lyrics in the essay parts.  

Dear 5th Grade Parents,
Unfortunately, the PARCC testing site had technology difficulties today and we were unable to administer the PARCC assessment to the 5th grade students. We have been informed that the Department of Education is continuing to work through these issues with the Pearson Access Next (PAN) system which is inhibiting testing for many districts throughout the state.  The Department of Education has informed us that they expect to have the testing site up and running for tomorrow's test session. 
Due to this unforeseen complication, we will need to add one additional day to the testing schedule for the 5th grade students.  Barring any other unforeseen circumstances, our revised testing schedule for Grade 5 students is as follows:
Thursday, April 21st   Math Unit 2
Friday, April 22nd   Math Unit 3
Monday, May 2nd  Math Unit 4
We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion that this may have caused and are hopeful that we will be able to continue testing without any other issues.
Sincerely,
Gina M. Hansen
Principal

And this is the second year. So no "this is new" excuse.

bramzzoinks said:

It is useless when results are only received months after the test.

For the purposes for which it was intended, I don't see this mattering much at all.  I'm not for or against the test, but as a standardized test to evaluate student achievement across classrooms/schools/districts/states/regions etc. it doesn't matter that results take time. 

mjh said:

bramzzoinks said:

It is useless when results are only received months after the test.

For the purposes for which it was intended, I don't see this mattering much at all.  I'm not for or against the test, but as a standardized test to evaluate student achievement across classrooms/schools/districts/states/regions etc. it doesn't matter that results take time. 

The main selling point according to Trenton is how it will improve instruction. Its value as a comparative tool across districts and regions is not something that most parents of current students give two cents about.  Besides, we have to ask ourselves: Do we really need to lose a week or more of instruction just so that we can get a sense of how our students compare to those from other district/state? Couldn't one or two days of testing suffice to meet his goal? And does it have to be tied to accountability agenda?

xavier67 said:

mjh said:

bramzzoinks said:

It is useless when results are only received months after the test.

For the purposes for which it was intended, I don't see this mattering much at all.  I'm not for or against the test, but as a standardized test to evaluate student achievement across classrooms/schools/districts/states/regions etc. it doesn't matter that results take time. 

The main selling point according to Trenton is how it will improve instruction. Its value as a comparative tool across districts and regions is not something that most parents of current students give two cents about.  Besides, we have to ask ourselves: Do we really need to lose a week or more of instruction just so that we can get a sense of how our students compare to those from other district/state? Couldn't one or two days of testing suffice to meet his goal? And does it have to be tied to accountability agenda?

But we know that is bull***** since it is clear enough that Trenton will do anything to improve education short of spending more money.

bramzzoinks said:

It is useless when results are only received months after the test.

From the PARCC FAQ: ( http://www.parcconline.org/about/faqs/313-faqs-scoring )

How quickly will assessment data be returned to teachers?

PARCC’s goal is to have data from the performance-based assessment and end-of-year assessment returned shortly after the end of the school year.

In Year 1, however, reports will not be available until fall, as standard setting will occur during summer 2015 after the results from the first tests have been analyzed.

campbell29 said:

 So, at least last year, with all the implementation problems at the high school, kids just filled in random answers, or wrote rap lyrics in the essay parts.  

Some states are starting to substitute SAT or other more typical HS standardized assessments instead of PARCC.

Jude said:

PARCC cancelled for today -- Pearson problems appear to be statewide. Wonderful. Just wonderful. What a waste, especially for a test that (a) does not count except as one of many options for graduation, and (b) wipes out 8 days of regular school. 

I doubt if I am alone on this: PARCC should be abolished. It serves no purpose other than to let politicians say they are doing something and possibly enrich a company like Pearson. 

I heard the crash was across at least six states and DC.  Major Pearson fail....

My gripe is that the time was used to then watch a movie and silent reading. I wish there were instruction plans in place to teach in case of technical difficulties.