• PARCC Testing Information for MTV Parents
      

    What does PARCC stand for?
    Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.

    What is PARCC?
    PARCC is New Jersey’s new standardized test, which will replace the NJASK.  It tests students’ proficiency in the Common Core State Standards in the areas of English Language Arts and Math.  (Our fourth grade students will continue to take a science assessment, dictated from the state department.  We are still waiting for information about that and will advise.)  
     
    Who will take PARCC?

    All students (general education, special education, ESL, etc.) grades 3 – 12.  Accommodations will be provided for students with documented learning needs (i.e. IEP plans, 504 plans, ESL provisions). 

    When will MTV students take the PARCC assessments?

    Tuesday, May 08 - Friday, May 11, 2018: Math assessments for Grades 3 - 5
    Monday, May 14 - Wednesday, May 16, 2018: ELA assessments for Grades 3-5
    Make-up testing will take place during and following the testing.


    How will PARCC be administered?
    PARCC is a computer-based assessment.  Students will take the assessment on either a Chromebook or an IMac computer.  Students are familiar with these devices as they're used regularly all year long.

    What is being done to prepare?
    Our staff and students have been practicing using the technology we have daily in class as well as in computer class. 

    The official PARCC website is the best source for information about the test.  They have also released practice tests at various grade levels, in both math and English Language Arts.  Our staff and students have been practicing taking these tests.

    In addition to this technological preparation, our curriculum has been aligned to the Common Core standards and we are working with our students, as always, to help to develop a full understanding of grade level concepts and to assist them with test-taking strategies.

    We will not be stopping instruction to perform test prep.  Our daily practices will focus on teaching the standards and integrating technology to help our students do their best.

    How will the tests be scored?
    The assessments are scored by an outside source. Although many answers will be recorded immediately on the PARCC server, the open-ended components will require human scorers and that will take time.  Students are scored on five levels of proficiency.  Refer to the resources below, or your child's recent score report, for more information.  

    Where can I find more information?
    PARCC’s main site: http://www.parcconline.org/
    PARCC practice tests: http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/ (Choose the Standard TestNav version, if possible)

    Click HERE to access the PARCC Parent Guide to the Score Report.

    What can you do as a parent to help your child do his/her best?
    Like other assessments, make sure your child is well-rested and fed on testing days.  Send him/her to school on time.  Maintain a positive attitude about testing and stress that the most important thing is for your child to try his/her best.
    As always, avid reading leads to prolific, creative writing and critical thinking, so please keep your child reading regularly.  Please practice the basic facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with your child.
    From a technical standpoint, students are naturally drawn to electronics.  Providing your child with practice keyboarding and with practice reading text online, would be helpful.   RAZ Kids reading, used with our younger students, is a great preparation for this. 

    Want to learn more?
    This page was designed to answer some basic questions and provide you, as a parent, with basic testing information.  If you are interested in learning more specifically about PARCC, visit the main site (http://www.parcconline.org/) which will lead you a variety of resources, including video clips and pdf files.   The site has an entire section dedicated to providing parents with more information.  You can access that at: http://www.parcconline.org/resources/parent-resources​.

    Kindly email me if you have difficulty locating information you are looking for: carmen.bellino@hanovertwpschools.org.