PARCC Testing 2016

We are entering the second year of PARCC testing and starting in April, students in grades 9, 10 and 11 in ELA (English Language Arts) and Math (Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2) will participate in the updated version of the PARCC (Partnership For Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests.  One big change from last year is that students will only be taking the test once during the school year.   

Just like last year, the assessments are computer-based and aligned to our curriculum.  The PARCC testing is designed to help the teachers and staff  understand  how well we are preparing our students toward the goals of the CCSS as well as offering a snapshot of individual student growth at each grade level. This information along with the  internal assessments that are used, helps teachers to support the learning of each child.  In addition, we use the information gained from PARCC to help adjust our total program to ensure the overall student growth at every grade level.  

Some useful links to understanding PARCC:

• http://www.parcconline.org/resources/parent-resources
• http://understandthescore.org/

PARCC Testing related to Graduation Requirements
Back in December the Department of Education released the threshold score that students need to achieve on each of the six PARCC Assessments.  The link below is to a blog post I did back in December which reviews the graduation requirements that need to be meet for all current high school students.  As you will see in the post, I also included the additional ways students can meet the graduation requirements through the approved alternative assessments.  
Graduation Requirements - Class of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 

Testing Week Students will be using their Chromebooks to take the assessments.  Because of the Chromebooks, we have cut down the number of days the testing will take.   As we get closer to testing I will share more information about:

• Modified schedule for all seniors 
• Testing procedures for all 9, 10 and 11 graders
• Daily schedule for students once testing has ended

PARCC Testing Schedule for ELA

Date	Unit	Grade Level	Length
Wednesday 4/20	ELA Unit 1	9, 10, 11	110 Minutes
Thursday, 4/21	ELA Unit 2	9, 10, 11	110 Minutes
Friday 4/22	ELA Unit 3	9, 10, 11	90 Minutes

PARCC Testing Schedule for Math 

Date	Unit	Grade Level	Length
Monday 4/25	Math Unit 1	Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2	90 Minutes
Tuesday, 4/26	Math Unit 2 & 3	Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2	90 Minutes each

If you have any additional questions, please contact me via email or give me a call.