PARCC Information
for Parents
This PowerPoint is adapted from the Maryland State Department of
Education PowerPoint entitled,
“PARCC: A New Vision of Assessment,” March 2013
The original PowerPoint can be found at:
http://www.msde.state.md.us/w/PARCCNewVisionAssessment.pdf
Kristy Delikat,
Reading Specialist
Cloverly Elementary
December 2, 2014
6:00 pm
Outcomes
• Understand the difference between
the MSA and PARCC
• Understand the components of
PARCC
• Explore PARCC sample test items
• Identify supports to help children at
home
What Is PARCC?
The
Partnership for
Assessment of
Readiness for
College and
Careers
3
Keep in Mind…
This is the first year ALL third, fourth, and
fifth graders are taking PARCC; we
don’t have all of the answers, but we
have resources to support all
stakeholders as we make this transition.
If you have questions any time during
the session, feel free to ask.
If you think of a question later, please
email me at
[email protected]
Why New Assessments?
We have to prepare all students for college
and career opportunities:
 A high school diploma
isn’t enough in our 21st
century economy
 Our K–12 system is not
adequately preparing
students for college
1/3 of
81% of today’s
jobs require
college or career
training
college
freshmen
need
remedial
courses
5
Why New Assessments?
Past state assessments (MSA) were not
designed to:
 Assess and signal whether students are on
track for success in college or careers
 Produce timely, actionable data for students,
teachers and parents
 Test key skills, such as critical thinking and
ability to problem solve
5
Why New Assessments?
The Common Core State Standards are here!
 Maryland has implemented the CCSS
standards for ELA/literacy and math
 Better standards require better tests
 High-quality tests improve and inform
instruction
7
How is PARCC different from MSA?
MSA
PARCC
• Paper/Pencil Test
• Students tested 1x per
year
• Results of MSA
received in the summer
• Computer Based Test
• Students tested 2 x per
year
• Faster results
• Comprehensive critical
thinking and problem
solving tasks
Now…
Students: Will know if they are on track to graduate
ready for college/careers
Teachers: Will have access to timely data to guide
learning and instruction
Parents: Will have clear and timely information about
student progress
States: Will have valid results that are comparable
across borders
9
And. . .
• Uses UDL (Universal Design for Learning)
to support all students
• Includes embedded supports for
English language learners, students
with disabilities
10
Components of PARCC
Performance Based Assessment (PBA)
o Occurs after approx. 75% of year (March)
o Language Arts – focus on writing effectively
when analyzing text
o Math – focus on solving multi-step problems by
applying skills and conceptual understanding
Components of PARCC
End of Year Assessment (EOY)
• Occurs after approx. 90% of year (Approx. May)
• Language Arts – focus on reading
comprehension
• Math – focus on key content areas and
demonstration of fact fluency
PARCC Resources
1. Login to your computer.
2. Select Internet Explorer.
3. Type this URL into the address bar:
http://practice.parcc.testnav.com
http://practice.parcc.testnav.com
PARCC Tutorial
At your own pace, go
through the PARCC
tutorial to familiarize
yourself with the
available tools.
http://practice.parcc.testnav.com
Click on TUTORIAL
Purpose of the Practice Tests
• Format
• Types of Assessment Items for EOY
• Familiarizing stakeholders with the
PARCC assessment.
http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#
Sample Items
PARCC Prototypes
http://www.parcconli
ne.org/samples/itemtask-prototypes
ELA/Literacy
Approx. Min./Max. Passage Length
• Grades 3 – 5 - 200 – 800 words
• Grades 6 – 8 - 400 – 1,000 words
• Grades 9 – 11 - 500 – 1,500 words
Extended =
Upper End
PARCC Update Alerts
http://www.par
cconline.org/P
ARCCUpdatesNewsletter
How can I help prepare my
child for PARCC?
• Encourage non-fiction reading! (Informational texts,
newspapers, magazines, charts, nutrition labels, etc.)
• Cite evidence! When reading with children, ask questions
and ask “How do you know?” Students who can cite a
page number will be successful.
• Computer practice! Students should practice typing.
• Practice basic math facts! Help students practice facts
and operational fluency
• Know the Common Core Standards. Read the MCPS
newsletters.
Thank you!
Complete the feedback form before you
head out to the PTA Meeting!