Yet another assessment test that has the
teacher’s room buzzing. I am sure that everyone has heard about the Partnership
for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or better known by its
acronym, PARCC. This test has been put together as a
comprehensive exam to see if NJ schools are effectively using the Common Core
State Standards. This exam is going to be implemented in NJ for the 2014-2015
school year. However, this year
the state of NJ is having an experimental test so the teachers are ready for
the upcoming year.
Over the last two
weeks, I have heard the 2nd- 5th grade teachers talking
about the PARCC exams. This topic is all the buzz and has the teachers
completely stressed out. The fact of the matter is everyone thinks that this
test is too advanced for 4th graders. Although the teachers believe
that the material being testing is too enriched for their students, the main reason
they are stressed is because it is administered on the computer. Therefore, not
only do the teachers need to prepare their students for the exam material its
self, they also need to prepare them to use a computer as well.
Although most students
have a computer at home in my district, I know this is not true to every
district in NJ. Even if students have a computer at home they still are not
using it to write papers or take tests on them by 4th grade. What
are your views on this test? Do you think it will be a difficult exam to assess?
Also, what if a student is struggling with the computer but knows the content,
how will that affect the student/teacher/schools overall “grade”? In all, do
you think this is going to be an effective way to see if NJ schools are effectively
using the Common Core State Standards?
Just like any other standardized test I think one test doesn’t determine how much a student has progressed or not throughout the year. With technology growing more and more in today’s society, I do not think it is too far out of reach when asking them to take a test online. Students play games and know how to use the smartboard better than the teachers! On the computer or not, the students still need to bubble in the correct answer when it being by hand or with a click on the mouse. One thing I am considered with is what if they have trouble with the computer and for some reason need assistance. Are the teachers allowed to step in to help them get situated on the computer? If students grow up using computers and are taught to do simple things on the computer in the classroom they should be able to take the test online but only time will tell!
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I have not heard of this standardized test yet. However, I agree completely with Christina's comment. I do not think that one test could determine a student's progress, just like the other standardized tests. I am not surprised that standardize tests are moving towards the computer. In my school, which is kindergarten through second grade, the students already take the I-Ready assessment on the computer. I know that the first and second graders take this test, I am not sure about the kindergarteners, but the students do not struggle with any computer issues. The test is multiple choice and the students grasped the idea of using the mouse to click the correct choice. One of the specials is computers, and I know that the students are taught how to use the computers by the computer teacher.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if the test will be difficult to pass, but I have some concerns regarding it. Like Christina said, would teachers be able to assist if a student is having computer/technological problems? Are the students required to type essay or short answer questions or is it just multiple choice? I know second graders and first graders can handle multiple choice, but many of them are still learning how to type and it can five minutes to type three words (I've witnessed in computers!). Not to mention teachers are already teaching to the test, so it would be taking away from real, valuable learning time.
If students are taking a computer special, then hopefully the computer teacher could prepare the students for taking a test on the computer and that would alleviate some of the pressures on the teacher. However, like Christina said, only time will tell.
I was able to sit in on a faculty meeting this afternoon where the PARCC was discussed in great length. As Nicole said, many of the teachers are very stressed about the scores. Our principal's advice to them was to continue to teach the way that they do. He praised their work and asked that they didn't allow the fear of "the score" get in the way of their objectives. He later announced his retirement, so in hindsight, his advice was a bit ironic (This is only a joke. He is a remarkable principle who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years.) Ok, back on track... It is of my opinion that these tests need to be given on the computer. I feel as though we are disserving our youth if we do not. Computer generated tests are the only standardized tests that will be available in the very near future. Children need practice taking tests on computers and we need to start somewhere. In response to the question of whether or not an administrator can assist with computer issues, I would say that this should probably be dependent on the grade level. As far as districts who have children that do not have computers are home, I am sure that these children are able to use the computer. As all of us know from the Praxis, a computerized test is simply moving a mouse and clicking.
ReplyDeleteWith that, while I disagree with the weight standardized tests are being given, I agree with them. What I don't agree with is many of the questions. I feel as though many questions on standardized tests are written to confuse the person taking them.
Like Diana, I also was present at a time when educators were discussing the PARCC test. The comment I heard an administrator say that stood out to me the most was that "this is the direction our country is moving in". By "this direction", the teacher was referring to the direction of everything being done on a computer.
ReplyDeleteAs a future teacher, I have some strong, negative feelings about the PARCCs test and struggle with believing that it will be an effective measurement of student achievement (just like I am weary to believe that ANY standardized test is the best form of measurement). Also, as much as teachers should not be letting students know it if they are teaching to the test, a lot of time and instructional planning in order to make instruction meaningful and exciting for children and also good preparation for the NJASK has already been spent. Now, teachers have a whole new, completely foreign standardized test that they must keep in the back of their minds at all times, all while not letting the students see their anxiety or fear.
However, in trying to see other sides of the issue of switching over to a computer delivered test like PARCCs, I do understand the rationale that technology is in fact the direction our country is moving towards. Technology is a major part of the American labor force. Also, luckily, elementary aged children of this generation are very intuitive and comfortable around computers. While heavy computer use might seem like a 'switch' to some, for many current elementary school children, a life influenced heavily by technology is all they have ever known.
In my school as well many teachers are stressed when talking about the upcoming PARCC exams. The NJASK is a lot of stress for teachers and students but now the PARCC is going to be exclusively on computers. What are districts going to do with schools that only have a certain amount of computers? I know many students might enjoy taking a test on a computer rather then regular booklet tests but I am curious about how the state believes all districts are capable of handling this. I am also curious if administration could step in and help the younger grades maneuver the computer if they don't know how to use the program. I do like the idea of them being computerized but always, technology has its issues. My school was taking the MAP testing two weeks ago and these are strictly on the computer. There were so many problems during testing: whose program shut off completely, who got logged out, who's test did not register. It was complete chaos for those teachers that had to redo the testing on their own time with those particular students. I am sure the PARCC with have its flaws of course but this is fairly new so what else would we expect.
ReplyDeleteParcc in my opinion is just like every other test. There is no difference between Parcc and NJASK except one is on the computer. I think that they might run into some difficulties with the computer. The big issue that I believe will happen is they will not have enough computers to perform this test. Most students know how to work with the computer but their are some new to the computer and might not know how to work with the test and might feel under pressure, which might result them to do poorly.
ReplyDelete