Key features in PARCC…Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers

Highlights from the PARCC Summary

http://www.achieve.org/PARCCsummary

States will adopt common assessments and

performance standards.

Assessment system will be anchored in college and career readiness.

Students will take parts of the assessment

at key times during the year.

“Through-course assessments”

Assessments will be computer based.

Assessments will include sophisticated items and

performance tasks.

To develop assessments that don’t simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test, but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical

thinking and entrepreneurship and creativity.

Goal of Next Generation Assessments

Beyond the Bubble Tests: The Next Generation of Assessments

Http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/

“I am convinced that this new generation of state assessments

will be an absolute game-changer in public education.”

---Education Secretary Arne Duncan

September 2, 2010

Intended Outcomes of PARCC Assessments

• Report achievement based on clear expectations; ability to compare across state lines

• Use results in school accountability determinations and educator evaluations

• Integrate assessment system with standards, curriculum, resources, and professional work

• Rapid use of data to guide instruction