The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Assessments is a coalition of states that have joined together to create a set of assessments for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. There are two tests, English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. The PARCC program is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core K-12 standards are aligned with college and work expectations. They include rigorous content and the application of knowledge through high-order skills. The standards build upon the strengths and lessons of the current state standards. They are informed by the standards in top-performing countries, so that students will be prepared to succeed in the global economy. Finally, they are based on research and evidence.
At present, the following states are participating in the PARCC program: Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. These tests fulfill a number of purposes. They provide an accurate reflection of student knowledge and progress in key subject areas, and they help teachers personalize subsequent instruction. They also generate data about school and district performance, so that administrators can identify areas in need of improvement.
At present, there are two PARCC examinations, in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The ELA test focuses on reading comprehension and analytical essays, while the math test covers mathematical fluency, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. The PARCC assessments are computer adaptive tests, which means that the questions become harder or easier in response to the performance of the student. Adaptive tests produce much more accurate scores, and ensure that the testing experience is worthwhile for every level of student. The intention of the PARCC program is to create tests that provide a comprehensive and precise measure of the student’s performance relative to the standards, as well as the student’s overall readiness for more advanced instruction.
The PARCC assessments can be difficult, but with the right preparation any student can improve his or her score. Mometrix Media has developed a set of prep materials specifically for the PARCC assessments. Mometrix offers a set of flashcards, which cover all of the topics that will appear on the PARCC assessments, as well as a study guide, which addresses all of the exam topics and includes some general tips and tricks for the big day. For any student looking to boost his or her performance on the PARCC assessments, the Mometrix flashcards and study guide are a must! These resources can be purchased at http://www.mo-media.com/parcc/ for the PARCC Study Guide or http://www.flashcardsecrets.com/parcc/ for the PARCC Flashcard Study System.
