News Brief

03/03/13

New Tests for Massachusetts Students on the Horizon

MetroWest Daily News (MA) (03/03/13) Tota, MattMassachusetts is one of 22 states preparing to roll out the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test, an online test aligned with the Common Core State Standards that will replace standardized tests in English language arts and math in the 2014-15 school year. In Massachusetts, the MCAS tests will continue to be administered for science. PARCC goes beyond the MCAS in predicting student success in college or the workforce. "The MCAS was not developed to look ahead and signal whether or not students are ready for success after high school. This assessment is very deliberately asking that question," says Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester, who is also chairman of the PARCC Governing Board. "We have a commitment from higher education that students who reach the college-ready benchmark on these assessments will be honored in terms of their placement into credit-bearing courses." Districts will give at least two versions of the test in a school year, with the feedback provided in a more timely manner so teachers can intervene as necessary. Districts must ensure they have the technology infrastructure to administer the test, as well as continue working toward Common Core implementation.

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