PARCC test could be axed
The PARCC test, which are standardized tests for America’s public school students grades K through 12, have been used in Maryland schools for the past month, but not all are happy about it.
But now action is being taken and a budget amendment was recently introduced to end it for good. Each grade is currently given one test for English skills the other for math. But Maryland Delegate David Vogt wants them both to be history because he says they’re forcing teachers and students off the curriculum.
47 ABC spoke with Delegate David Vogt and he says, “They need to be given the ability to go back to what they’ve done so well for so long. Teachers have gotten to where they’re teaching to the test and they feel like they feel like they’re not able to do their jobs which they’re best at.”
According to the PARCC website, it assesses whether students are on track for success after high school. Wicomico County School Superintendent Dr. John Frederickson says administering the tests can be tough because it’s entirely electronic and schools need more computers. It also interferes with class schedules, but overall, he supports the idea.
Dr. Frederickson tells 47 ABC, “There are a lot of little wrinkles to work out of it but in general I think it’s a very good option and it really does assess what we’ve been trying to teach.”
The tests are related to Common Core the controversial initiative to bring every state to the same educational benchmarks. Vogt admits that if his amendment passes and PARCC gets the axe, another test would have to take its place. But he wants it to be a state decision not a federal one. And he hopes Governor Larry Hogan agrees.
Vogt tells 47 ABC, “Use the authority that he has to pull us out of the park assessments and to bring the control of our education system back to Maryland.”
There are currently eleven states, not including the District of Columbia, who are actively participating in taking the PARCC test. They include Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Lousiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.
If you would like to see what the PARCC test is like, you may click the link below:
http://www.parcconline.org/take-the-test
