It's that time of year.  PARCC is touting that it has made improvements - one time testing, reduced time on test, etc. Teachers here in NJ feel a bit more comfortable with the test having gone through it once.  Some states are removing PARCC results from teacher evaluations.  All steps in lessening the stress and pressure on students - our main concern! - teachers, administrators and parents.

So what do you do?  Some schools are administering the 2 day math sections in elementary to a Thursday and Friday.  Then complete the ELA parts on the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.   This gives everyone a break.  Many teachers plan reviews the days before testing, but use test days mainly for real learning - enrichment - having students work on projects that they find stimulating.  A reward for suffering through tests that have no impact or little on students, but where companies make big bucks.

Don't get me wrong, some testing is needed.  These are supposed to be a snapshot for a district.  What areas do we need to address, update, provide professional development?  They let the district know where support is needed to encourage staff and parents.  PARCC does not help individual students or teachers.  The results last year didn't come till late fall.  They have promised a quicker turn around this time.  We'll see.

Remember (if you're as old as me!) the CAT tests or the Metropolitans?  I could distribute the results to my 5th graders and show them - this should be high since you have been learning synonyms since 1st grade.  We didn't cover multiplying and dividing fractions until after the test, so my expectation is that you didn't do as well in that area.  It showed teachers what topics were expected in what grade level.

So happy testing.  It will soon be done and the remainder of the year can be spent enlivening students' interest in learning without the cloud of testing hanging over the classrooms.