Lillian M. Lowery, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Schools
200 West Baltimore Street • Baltimore, MD 21201 • 410-767-0100 • 410-333-6442 TTY/TDD • MarylandPublicSchools.org
Top 10 Things You Should Know about PARCC
1. The Field Test was successful
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We received great feedback from students and teachers.
We are using the feedback to make adjustments.
It was a test of the test items and the platform. While not perfect, there were no significant issues and
we are directly addressing the issues raised in feedback.
We are conducting research studies and comparability studies to better enhance the test
2. Maryland will continue to offer a limited quantity of Paper-based tests for schools that are not yet ready
with the technology
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The goal is for all students to benefit from the computer-enhanced features as well as the benefits of
increased technology to enhance education every day.
We know some schools are not ready – paper forms can be used by these schools; however the goal is
to migrate entirely to online with the exception of possible needed accommodations
3. PARCC assessments have been/are being developed by teachers from the states
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Dozens of Maryland teachers and school leaders have been deeply involved in the development
Overall test design, by serving on many committees
Item review – ensuring that the test items are aligned to the standards, are high quality, and that they
are free of any bias that would disadvantage some groups of students.
PARCC is not a testing company. The tests are Maryland’s assessments as much as or more than any
previous Maryland tests. We helped design, field test and implement them. The state superintendant,
as the education chief for Maryland, is one of the governing board members making the decisions.
Only the education chiefs sit on the board. We are in charge.
4. The ELA End-of-Year test has been reduced in length
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Announced just last week
Review showed it’s possible to measure all the standards with fewer items/tasks on the test.
Drop from 4 text passage sets to 2 in grades 3-5
Drop from 5 passage sets to 4 in grades 6-11
Time will be saved; however, we don’t yet know the exact amount.
MarylandPublicSchools.org
5. Final test length and time information will be available in September to allow scheduling
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The PARCC states are reviewing the data on the amount of time it took students to complete tasks.
E.g., the time it took 75%, 95% and 98% of students to complete the tests.
The states will make a final decision shortly on how much time to allow students.
Goal: give students enough time to show what they can do and not be frustrated; not take more class
time than is necessary to measure student progress and needs
This will allow schools to plan their testing more efficiently
6. Maryland schools have flexibility in what to do with completed test takers
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As with the former MSA program, local school systems continue to have the flexibility in choosing one
of three options for addressing completed test takers (TACM appendix E):
o Have students sit quietly until end of test session
o Have students read a recreational book until end of test session
o Dismiss students following collection of secured materials
7. Additional parent resources for school leaders are on the way
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In the next two weeks, PARCC states will share with schools tools for explaining the PARCC
assessments to parents.
8. Resources for teachers and school/district leaders
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The PARCC website now has two online professional learning modules with detailed, self-guided
learning tools.
One is an overview, the other is about accommodations and accessibility.
Three more are in the works.
9. More tools on the way
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PARCC states (and educators from those states) are working on several exciting optional tools for
teachers, including:
o Diagnostic assessments – computer adaptive, flexible indicator of student knowledge. Optional
o Mid-Year assessment – made up of released PARCC items. Emphasis on hard-to-measure
standards. Optional
o Speaking and listening assessment
o Formative tools
These create an assessment system – high quality assessments aligned to high quality standards.
These allow teachers to inform their instruction throughout the year, making the most of their time
with students.
10. Your teachers are more ready than (some of them) think
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You have been coaching them for four years on this.
Giving them professional development
You have PARCC Educator Leader Cadre members who have immersed themselves and shared with
their colleagues.
Your district and school technology leaders have assessed your resources, tested the testing platform,
troubleshooted issues that arose during field testing.