PARCC tests to be shortened
The PARCC test is the test that many parents and educators want to end.
While they’re not going away, by next May, they will be cut down. PARCC’s multi-state consortium voted unanimously Wednesday to shorten the tests. Doctor John Fredericksen of Wicomico County public schools considers it good news.
Dr. Fredericksen tells 47 ABC, “It’ll be better for the schools it’ll be less disruption for the school day and it’ll be less disruption for the school week. We’ve been advocating for this and we believe it’s the right thing to do because shorter tests means the kids may be a little more focused on them and do a better job.”
Shorter, less frequent, and instead of twice a year, the tests will be administered once in May. That’s every school day in the month. The total time cut over that period? 90 minutes.
Dr. Fredericksen tells 47 ABC, “Some of the tests are just a little bit too long particularly for our younger students to have them sit for an hour or an hour and fifteen minutes that’s a long time when you’re a third grader that’s a long time when you’re a fourth grader and we need to tighten that up.”
These tests are as controversial as the Common Core Curriculum they’re supposed to test, and concerned parents in states with PARCC have joined together in groups like “United Opt Out” encouraging students to opt out of the tests. But length isn’t the only concern, many parents and students say the questions are confusing and put unnecessary pressure on students. Despite calls to drop the test entirely, Fredericksen says it would not be right because schools would have to re-adjust their curriculum. He wants to trim the tests further.
Dr. Fredericksen tells 47 ABC, “The challenge is I think we still have to fine tune them some more I think they need to be shortened a little bit more.”
Dr. Fredericksen says he’s been having lunch with students recently to hear what they think. He says elementary and middle school students were most concerned about the length and high school kids said it was just “okay”.
Dr. Fredericksen tells 47 ABC, students can choose not to take the tests but they must show up and they must sit during the testing if not it’s treated as an unexcused absence. Dr. Frederickson also says about half of Maryland schools do not allow those students to do any other activity, such as reading, but he says they’re looking into allowing it. A student who doesn’t take the test reportedly gets an F, which does not count on their GPA.
