PARCC the Test From Hell

[NeverTrump]

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers is a new online testing requirement that is invading school curriculums nationwide. One of my clients is a private school for underprivileged kids. One day the school technologist comes up to me hands me a huge manual and says. "Here we are starting this test in a week. You need to set it up." What is the first thing the manual tells me? "Must start fulfilling pre-test requirements month one." That's not good, I sighed and read on. Turns out, the test takes four + months to set up and most schools nationwide aren't technologically suited to run it! Luckily with it's available funding and my genius, I got the thing up and running in three days.

Despite, it's ridiculous pie in the sky technology ideas: Such as each school must run a private virtual server in order to make it work. (Good thing my school has the money). The test is poorly written, mismanaged sloppily, and horribly designed. The test takes out four months of the teacher's lives. Drives up student anxiety and forces schools to spend extra money on technology that they might not otherwise need.

While I am all for the simple concept of the test. It seems that most schools across the country are still stuck in 1970s technology. Yet, Pearson, the company who administers the test in conjunction with state governments don't care. They expect every school to meet their standards and waste four months of their lives every year, setting this up and taking it. They can't be bothered since they already got money from the government to go out and check to make sure the schools can run the test. Their IT department tells me to read the manual, to find out technical and often complicated solutions to answers. The manual doesn't even talk about.

The Common Core test has parents, teachers, students, and even local district politicians up in arms over the poorly thought out roll-out plan and the stuff that's on the test itself. Grade 3 is supposed to know algebra? IDK about you, but I wasn't learning algebra in grade 3! So there is a way to opt-out and many kids just aren't taking it so they sit there in school for hours doing nothing. Hugely affecting their education.

Some, social media savvy kids have taken to the internet to share out answers, since this is all the same tests universally. Now, Pearson has come out saying they will be monitoring the sites. Sparking even more outrage.

PARCC is a dangerous way to test kids and it affects everyone involved in education: Not just the kids!! I'm sure PARCC advocates would love to have each of these tests taken over many years from grade 1-HS level, but I'm just not seeing it happen nationwide as whole states have already opted out.

7 things to know about PARCC's effect on teacher evaluations | NJ.com
Protesters rally behind teacher suspended in connection with PARCC Exam | wpri.com
Education testing company monitors students
Baristanet | Your Local, Homegrown Online Community Since 2004 - Covering Montclair, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, West & South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/03/16/online-tests-came-with-some-snags.html
PARCC Problems in Lake Forest
Am I Dyslexic: PARCC or CCRAP?*|*Jacqueline Edelberg
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...e-new-parcc-exam-heres-her-disturbing-report/

 

[Declan]

Never fear. Education is big business. In a few years there will be a whole new testing regime to replace this one.

 

[NeverTrump]

Never fear. Education is big business. In a few years there will be a whole new testing regime to replace this one.

I set up something similar on a county level for the school and they opted out of it due to nationwide protest. They need to come up with a better way of implementing this one. For it to work properly.

 

[Declan]

I set up something similar on a county level for the school and they opted out of it due to nationwide protest. They need to come up with a better way of implementing this one. For it to work properly.

I am not sure any of them will ever work properly. It is a cycle of changing everything to make excuses for past performance issues. Like I posted here before I think--my school system started consolidating the best schools with the worst schools just to pull up averages (even though they pretend it was for budget reasons)

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers is a new online testing requirement that is invading school curriculums nationwide. One of my clients is a private school for underprivileged kids. One day the school technologist comes up to me hands me a huge manual and says. "Here we are starting this test in a week. You need to set it up." What is the first thing the manual tells me? "Must start fulfilling pre-test requirements month one." That's not good, I sighed and read on. Turns out, the test takes four + months to set up and most schools nationwide aren't technologically suited to run it! Luckily with it's available funding and my genius, I got the thing up and running in three days.

Despite, it's ridiculous pie in the sky technology ideas: Such as each school must run a private virtual server in order to make it work. (Good thing my school has the money). The test is poorly written, mismanaged sloppily, and horribly designed. The test takes out four months of the teacher's lives. Drives up student anxiety and forces schools to spend extra money on technology that they might not otherwise need.

While I am all for the simple concept of the test. It seems that most schools across the country are still stuck in 1970s technology. Yet, Pearson, the company who administers the test in conjunction with state governments don't care. They expect every school to meet their standards and waste four months of their lives every year, setting this up and taking it. They can't be bothered since they already got money from the government to go out and check to make sure the schools can run the test. Their IT department tells me to read the manual, to find out technical and often complicated solutions to answers. The manual doesn't even talk about.

The Common Core test has parents, teachers, students, and even local district politicians up in arms over the poorly thought out roll-out plan and the stuff that's on the test itself. Grade 3 is supposed to know algebra? IDK about you, but I wasn't learning algebra in grade 3! So there is a way to opt-out and many kids just aren't taking it so they sit there in school for hours doing nothing. Hugely affecting their education.

Some, social media savvy kids have taken to the internet to share out answers, since this is all the same tests universally. Now, Pearson has come out saying they will be monitoring the sites. Sparking even more outrage.

PARCC is a dangerous way to test kids and it affects everyone involved in education: Not just the kids!! I'm sure PARCC advocates would love to have each of these tests taken over many years from grade 1-HS level, but I'm just not seeing it happen nationwide as whole states have already opted out.

7 things to know about PARCC's effect on teacher evaluations | NJ.com
Protesters rally behind teacher suspended in connection with PARCC Exam | wpri.com
Education testing company monitors students
Baristanet | Your Local, Homegrown Online Community Since 2004 - Covering Montclair, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, West & South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn
Ohio schools faced many glitches with state
PARCC Problems in Lake Forest
Am I Dyslexic: PARCC or CCRAP?*|*Jacqueline Edelberg
A 16-year-old takes the new PARCC exam. Here’s her disturbing report. - The Washington Post

Dangerous bwhahaha it is a test to see what kids need to learn in preparation for college. The test goes beyond what the kids know at their grade level, that is how they assess how much they know. Its no big deal, its just a test. The kids take it then move on. My kids took it and it was no big deal for them. The school didnt have any trouble setting up the test, and I live in a poor area. Quit whining it wasnt anything to get so worked up about.

BTW they are introducing algebra by 3rd grade and have been most likely before you were born. You probably didnt know that it was algebra. And by your reaction you probably still dont know.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

common core and PARRC setting kids up for mediocrity.

 

[NeverTrump]

Dangerous bwhahaha it is a test to see what kids need to learn in preparation for college. The test goes beyond what the kids know at their grade level, that is how they assess how much they know. Its no big deal, its just a test. The kids take it then move on. My kids took it and it was no big deal for them. The school didnt have any trouble setting up the test, and I live in a poor area. Quit whining it wasnt anything to get so worked up about.

BTW they are introducing algebra by 3rd grade and have been most likely before you were born. You probably didnt know that it was algebra. And by your reaction you probably still dont know.

From this statement alone it is clear that it is you who does not know anything about the test. While there are lots of common core haters out there, there is more than enough legitimate reasons for parents, teachers, and administrators to be annoyed and pissed off about this. This takes four months of re-doing schedules and semesters just so the kids will learn some stuff on some test that probably won't even be around in a year from now. It is disrupting the learning process and making kids freak out about something that isn't even majority accepted nationwide.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

From this statement alone it is clear that it is you who does not know anything about the test. While there are lots of common core haters out there, there is more than enough legitimate reasons for parents, teachers, and administrators to be annoyed and pissed off about this. This takes four months of re-doing schedules and semesters just so the kids will learn some stuff on some test that probably won't even be around in a year from now. It is disrupting the learning process and making kids freak out about something that isn't even majority accepted nationwide.

Tell me then exactly what is annoying enough for me to reject this test and for it to piss me off enough to do something about it?

 

[NeverTrump]

Tell me then exactly what is annoying enough for me to reject this test and for it to piss me off enough to do something about it?

If you worked at a school you would get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes administering this POS. As I mentioned in the OP, which you would know if you actually read it thoroughly, schools are not ready technically or financially to meet the needs of the test. That's why most of the country dropped out. School budgets are tight as it is. The Pearson team should have a hand in training people to show others how to manage it and set it up properly. Most software companies do this. They give you a trial basis to test it out in your company. If you don't like it for X amount of time, you don't have to do anything, or you can sign a contract. Dealing with tech vendors, in other jobs. I know most do this because they want to sell you their product.

I would suspect that since Pearson is an education company first a tech company second, they would care enough to you know "educate" people about every little thing that can go wrong. Not just hand the non-tech school administrators a manual.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

If you worked at a school you would get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes administering this POS. As I mentioned in the OP, which you would know if you actually read it thoroughly, schools are not ready technically or financially to meet the needs of the test. That's why most of the country dropped out. School budgets are tight as it is. The Pearson team should have a hand in training people to show others how to manage it and set it up properly. Most software companies do this. They give you a trial basis to test it out in your company. If you don't like it for X amount of time, you don't have to do anything, or you can sign a contract. Dealing with tech vendors, in other jobs. I know most do this because they want to sell you their product.

I would suspect that since Pearson is an education company first a tech company second, they would care enough to you know "educate" people about every little thing that can go wrong. Not just hand the non-tech school administrators a manual.

Apparently you are not qualified at your job. I mean how come a under budgeted third rate school district out in the boondocks was able to pull off this test with zero problems?
I admit the population is small compared to school districts in large populated areas, but we are not stalking about one room school house here. There are enough students to warrant three primary schools a middle school and a high school. Our district is extremely underfunded.

I am just not going to complain about something because it made extra work for YOU. In the same note I am not going to start complaining about PARCC because YOU think that schools are not ready for a test of this magnitude. It sounds more like a labor dispute than actual concern about the children taking this test. if you cant handle your job get out of the way for someone with more experience dealing with such things. Or step up to the plate and educate yourself. It wasnt like you had no clue that PARCC was going to be mandated. Dont sit around and expect other people to show you the way.

ANd dont try to tell me that schools are required to give tests with no PC's to take them on. I know that In New Mexico there was a glitch because some school districts didnt install a update other than that state wide the test went on state wide with no problems except for some of the problems drummed up by activists. How come a poor ass backwards state like New Mexico can do this test if its all as bad as you claim? No, something smells fishy.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

If you worked at a school you would get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes administering this POS. As I mentioned in the OP, which you would know if you actually read it thoroughly, schools are not ready technically or financially to meet the needs of the test. That's why most of the country dropped out. School budgets are tight as it is. The Pearson team should have a hand in training people to show others how to manage it and set it up properly. Most software companies do this. They give you a trial basis to test it out in your company. If you don't like it for X amount of time, you don't have to do anything, or you can sign a contract. Dealing with tech vendors, in other jobs. I know most do this because they want to sell you their product.

I would suspect that since Pearson is an education company first a tech company second, they would care enough to you know "educate" people about every little thing that can go wrong. Not just hand the non-tech school administrators a manual.

BTW I am actively involved in my childrens schools. And my wife sub's regularly. I volunteer as much as I can. We are good friends with our towns grade schools principle. its not like I am ignorant here, I can see through your BS.

 

[NeverTrump]

1. I am just not going to complain about something because it made extra work for YOU. In the same note I am not going to start complaining about PARCC because YOU think that schools are not ready for a test of this magnitude. It sounds more like a labor dispute than actual concern about the children taking this test. if you cant handle your job get out of the way for someone with more experience dealing with such things. Or step up to the plate and educate yourself. It wasnt like you had no clue that PARCC was going to be mandated. Dont sit around and expect other people to show you the way.

2. ANd dont try to tell me that schools are required to give tests with no PC's to take them on. I know that In New Mexico there was a glitch because some school districts didnt install a update other than that state wide the test went on state wide with no problems except for some of the problems drummed up by activists. How come a poor ass backwards state like New Mexico can do this test if its all as bad as you claim? No, something smells fishy.

1. I never asked you to complain about the test. You seem to be complaining about me complaining about it. While insulting me in the process. In fact the very thing that you mentioned happened to me. I was just handed a manual one day and said I had three days to set it up. So I did it, which you would know if you read the OP. You are showing lack of reading comprehension skills here. Now, it is partially the school's fault because they didn't read the manual, which the tech support told them to do. I don't technically work at the school. They are one of our clients, and I did have no idea this was going on, until after I set it up and researched the issue more.

2. Just because your district didn't have any problems, doesn't mean that the whole state loves it/ hasn't had any problems. That's being willfully ignorant of what's going on in your state. I'm proud that the test ran smoothly for me and for your district as well but we can still sympathize with the people who are having difficulties with it, or do you just not?

PARCC protest heads to education secretary's home | New Mexico News - KOAT Home

In New Mexico, a judge is hearing a suit brought by another testing company that alleges that there were irregularities when Pearson was awarded the contract to develop PARCC tests for the state. The legal challenge could halt PARCC testing in the state. Meanwhile pissed at Pearson protesters marched on the home of State Education Secretary Hanna Skandera demanding the suspension of Pearson PARCC exams.

People Are Pissed at Pearson*|*Alan Singer

Arguments heard in New Mexico PARCC testing contract fight | Albuquerque Journal News

Hundreds of New Mexico students walk out on assessment tests | OregonLive.com

But sure each one of these cases are activists complaining. right? :roll: Look, I hate activists as much as the next guy, but that doesn't mean this test isn't riddled with problems and budgetary concerns. I sent you about ten links that shows real problems with the test on all levels of education/technology/government and you just say it worked fine for me. You mentioned a glitch, but how much of an idea do you actually have about the internals of setting it up and getting everything right? Or did you just see the end result, "it's working for me." The technology aspect is just a small part. To just say that it's working so there is no problem is ignorance at best.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

1. I never asked you to complain about the test. You seem to be complaining about me complaining about it. While insulting me in the process. In fact the very thing that you mentioned happened to me. I was just handed a manual one day and said I had three days to set it up. So I did it, which you would know if you read the OP. You are showing lack of reading comprehension skills here. Now, it is partially the school's fault because they didn't read the manual, which the tech support told them to do. I don't technically work at the school. They are one of our clients, and I did have no idea this was going on, until after I set it up and researched the issue more.

"If you worked at a school you would get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes administering this POS." So now you technically dont have a better understanding.

2. Just because your district didn't have any problems, doesn't mean that the whole state loves it/ hasn't had any problems. That's being willfully ignorant of what's going on in your state. I'm proud that the test ran smoothly for me and for your district as well but we can still sympathize with the people who are having difficulties with it, or do you just not?

PARCC protest heads to education secretary's home | New Mexico News - KOAT Home


People Are Pissed at Pearson*|*Alan Singer

Arguments heard in New Mexico PARCC testing contract fight | Albuquerque Journal News

Hundreds of New Mexico students walk out on assessment tests | OregonLive.com

A small minority complained because someone got them riled up. The issue is very hyper partisan. Which is extremely obvious. Oddly the PARCC test isnt the only test taking up large amounts of the student time. But for some reason there is a movement against just this test. Have you asked yourself why not the other tests?

But sure each one of these cases are activists complaining. right? :roll: Look, I hate activists as much as the next guy, but that doesn't mean this test isn't riddled with problems and budgetary concerns. I sent you about ten links that shows real problems with the test on all levels of education/technology/government and you just say it worked fine for me. You mentioned a glitch, but how much of an idea do you actually have about the internals of setting it up and getting everything right? Or did you just see the end result, "it's working for me." The technology aspect is just a small part. To just say that it's working so there is no problem is ignorance at best.

Just about all of those eight links were opinion pieces. Think of it as a courtesy that I didn't try and debate those opinions (not too mention very biased).

Again why isnt the other tests gaining this much concentrated attention and student walk outs? Well the other tests are not all tied to Common Core, which is right wing talking point.

Ohioans Against Common Core |

Superintendent Confirms Common Core's Pearson Spying on Kids' Social Media Accounts - Tea Party News


You have been parroting the Tea Party and not really presenting a real argument. But what do actual teachers think of PARCC?

http://teachplus.org/sites/default/files/publication/pdf/1000_teachers_examine_parcc.pdf

"Key Findings

FINDING #1: Teachers believe that PARCC is a better assessment than their prior
state tests.

FINDING #2: Teachers find clear alignment between PARCC and what they are
teaching.

FINDING #3: While the majority believe PARCC measures skills needed to be collegeand
career-ready, teachers were mixed on whether the test was grade-appropriate or
too challenging.

FINDING #4: Teachers find the English Language Arts (ELA) assessment strongly
aligned to the key instructional shifts of the CCSS but may require knowledge students
don’t yet have.

FINDING #5: Teachers find the math questions cognitively demanding and balanced
among concepts, procedures and application, though they wanted to see additional
questions that increase the assessment rigor. "

 

[NeverTrump]

1. "If you worked at a school you would get a better understanding of what goes on behind the scenes administering this POS." So now you technically dont have a better understanding.

2. A small minority complained because someone got them riled up. The issue is very hyper partisan. Which is extremely obvious. Oddly the PARCC test isnt the only test taking up large amounts of the student time. But for some reason there is a movement against just this test. Have you asked yourself why not the other tests?
Again why isnt the other tests gaining this much concentrated attention and student walk outs? Well the other tests are not all tied to Common Core, which is right wing talking point.

1. Seriously you are grasping at straws here. I am in charge of any technology at that school. Ever heard of remote assistance? Consulting? I'm not technically that either, but its the best way to describe what I do for the school. Since I am not there 24/7. I go there when needed.

2. You're right a small portion of the complaints are fueled by the anti-Common Core activists. It's sad that those get meshed together. I believe I mentioned this. So again, I ask you do you not care about the real issues that come up when administering the test? Why not? if you feel it's just activists, tell me who is running the movement. I would like to research that further. And don't just say The Tea Party. Name names. Why do you think so many states opted-out?

I also mentioned another test as well that was supposed to be deployed on county level. That quickly dissipated due to similar protests. Not sure if it was Common Core or not. Since that was all internal school protests.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

1. Seriously you are grasping at straws here. I am in charge of any technology at that school. Ever heard of remote assistance? Consulting? I'm not technically that either, but its the best way to describe what I do for the school. Since I am not there 24/7. I go there when needed.

Ok so you are the tech guy, that doesnt really make you any more important or knowledgeable than any other poster here (other than the in and outs of the technology involved in one school).

2. You're right a small portion of the complaints are fueled by the anti-Common Core activists. It's sad that those get meshed together. I believe I mentioned this. So again, I ask you do you not care about the real issues that come up when administering the test? Why not? if you feel it's just activists, tell me who is running the movement. I would like to research that further. And don't just say The Tea Party. Name names. Why do you think so many states opted-out?

Yes I do care about logistical and technological issues with the test. Ill go further and voice a concern for too much testing.

It is interesting that you want me to pin down who started the anti-common core/parcc movement. I am sure that information could eventually be found. But it is obvious that the anti common core movement is child of the right wing libertarian movement. You sound capable of doing a search of the internet. Take a good look around the common denominator is not only the Tea Party but anti-common core is a presidential campaign focal point. Our nations children are being used by political assholes to gain voters. The Tea Party paints a picture of all teachers being far left propagandists filling students minds with Communism. And the ignorant sponges think 'COMMON CORE sounds like COMMUNISM!'

I also mentioned another test as well that was supposed to be deployed on county level. That quickly dissipated due to similar protests. Not sure if it was Common Core or not. Since that was all internal school protests.

Nationally you only hear about PARCC there isnt a movement against any other test.

 

[NeverTrump]

It is interesting that you want me to pin down who started the anti-common core/parcc movement. I am sure that information could eventually be found. But it is obvious that the anti common core movement is child of the right wing libertarian movement. You sound capable of doing a search of the internet. Take a good look around the common denominator is not only the Tea Party but anti-common core is a presidential campaign focal point. Our nations children are being used by political assholes to gain voters. The Tea Party paints a picture of all teachers being far left propagandists filling students minds with Communism. And the ignorant sponges think 'COMMON CORE sounds like COMMUNISM!'

I think maybe that's partly PARCC's fault as well. Don't you? Considering that they proudly have "common core" in many various descriptions of the test itself. If they wanted to maintain neutrality, they should have just left those words out right? Then, maybe the issues would not have become as polarized as they are. Either way, I'm sure home-school advocates would have found a way anyway.

However, I am not complaining about the common core aspect of it. That's what you don't get and it is you that is the one who keeps referring to that. I don't care about that political slogan. I also actually support it and as I mentioned in my OP I support the basic concept of online testing. I care about the various impacts it has had at various schools. I personally am aware of six different schools where this test has given others headaches as well. I have already linked to a lot of different examples that actually made headlines. Not sure about NM, but apparently the state of NJ is not ready for the test. There are currently multiple non-political controversies surrounding the test. Do you deny this?

I don't have a political agenda against common core. I have concerns about the test itself. There's a difference.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

I think maybe that's partly PARCC's fault as well. Don't you? Considering that they proudly have "common core" in many various descriptions of the test itself. If they wanted to maintain neutrality, they should have just left those words out right? Then, maybe the issues would not have become as polarized as they are. Either way, I'm sure home-school advocates would have found a way anyway.

However, I am not complaining about the common core aspect of it. That's what you don't get and it is you that is the one who keeps referring to that. I don't care about that political slogan. I also actually support it and as I mentioned in my OP I support the basic concept of online testing. I care about the various impacts it has had at various schools. I personally am aware of six different schools where this test has given others headaches as well. I have already linked to a lot of different examples that actually made headlines. Not sure about NM, but apparently the state of NJ is not ready for the test. There are currently multiple non-political controversies surrounding the test. Do you deny this?

I don't have a political agenda against common core. I have concerns about the test itself. There's a difference.

Here are some quotes from your links:

"Despite the technical glitches, several local educators say the shift to online testing went better than they expected."

"Ohio schools had the option this year to give all, some or none of the exams online. Most local districts did an online/paper-pencil hybrid. Students at Dublin, Hamilton and Olentangy took the test only with paper and pencil."

“Things went really well,” said Brian Seymour, director of instructional technology in Pickerington. “There was nothing that was an epic catastrophe.”

“What teachers say on their own time is their business so long as it does not disrupt the school environment. During the work day, however, I expect all teaching staff to teach pursuant to out curriculum.”

"Those who are pro-PARCC (and they are few and far between—and I haven’t found a single teacher yet who is pro-PARCC) generally come out swinging with personal attacks. Christie called us “helicopter parents who want everyone to get a trophy,” and others have labeled us as uneducated Tea Party followers who hate anything associated with Obama."

" There's a national opt-out movement afoot. Perhaps if enough of us parents cry uncle, we could reign in this testing madness, and get on with the business of giving our kids the schools they deserve."

There are going to be problems with a first run test of this type. As a tech guy you should be fully aware of that reality.


I also think that you should educate yourself about the PARCC test just a little. About PARCC | PARCC

It isnt a question that PARCC is directly related to Common Core.

"What is PARCC?
 The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of 19 states working together to
develop a common set of computer-based K–12 assessments in English language arts/Literacy and math linked to the new,
more rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
 PARCC is one of two state consortia developing assessments aligned to the CCSS through the federal Race to the Top
assessment grant program"

Another thing, the links that you provided all were just short and most had direct links in them to the anti-common core movement. Those are the people that I was talking about. Its those same people that are encouraging parents to opt out their children. All directly related to hyper partisan hackery. Sure you as a tech guy are mostly concerned with how schools are not technologically ready for such tests, but should you also as a tech guy be fighting for improvement? It sounds more like you just want it to stop so that you can keep going on with your present job. At any rate your concerns seem to have more to do with a labor dispute than with education.


Again I think that there is too much testing in schools (if they are anything like New Mexico). Too much time is spent on preparations for the many different tests being given. But no one is really addressing that issue instead its all about one test because it is a part of common core. Until this test came along few cared about testing in schools.

BTW be sure to read those quotes above.

 

[NeverTrump]

1. Sure you as a tech guy are mostly concerned with how schools are not technologically ready for such tests, but should you also as a tech guy be fighting for improvement? It sounds more like you just want it to stop so that you can keep going on with your present job. At any rate your concerns seem to have more to do with a labor dispute than with education.

2. Again I think that there is too much testing in schools (if they are anything like New Mexico). Too much time is spent on preparations for the many different tests being given. But no one is really addressing that issue instead its all about one test because it is a part of common core. Until this test came along few cared about testing in schools.

1. I'm not so sure it is an improvement. Going online is, but not at the expense this is to our state and teachers's valuable time.
2. So you think there is too much testing in schools yet support Parcc and the government oversight that comes with it?? Yeah. That makes sense. Did you read the part where the manual says it takes four + months to prepare for this? I did it in less than a week, but not every school has someone like me they can go to. That I'm sure of. You still haven't answered my question about the opt-out movement itself. Why are people opting-out? Is it really political? or genuine disgruntles about the test itself? You just seem to be complaining that there is an opt-out movement.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

1. I'm not so sure it is an improvement. Going online is, but not at the expense this is to our state and teachers's valuable time.
2. So you think there is too much testing in schools yet support Parcc and the government oversight that comes with it?? Yeah. That makes sense. Did you read the part where the manual says it takes four + months to prepare for this? I did it in less than a week, but not every school has someone like me they can go to. That I'm sure of. You still haven't answered my question about the opt-out movement itself. Why are people opting-out? Is it really political? or genuine disgruntles about the test itself? You just seem to be complaining that there is an opt-out movement.

How come the opt out movement was started before any school actually took the test? Why the preemptive move and all the obvious parroting by the opponents of PARCC? Why is there so much misinformation by the anti-PARCC crowd? For me the opt out/ anti PARCC/Common Core movement is rather obviously hyper partisan hackery, and a election year ploy to boot. I mean what politicians publicly are making a deal out of this test? The answer is that they are all right wing libertarians. They are not making a valid point they are just attacking anything that they feel threatens their ideology. Its no different than leftists attacking capitalism with no actual rational other than they hate it.

It isnt that I am pro-PARCC, its just that you havent made a case against it. Why should I be upset about PARCC as a parent and not a damn teacher or tech guy? I dont really care what work you had to do and how it made you feel. The same goes for the teachers, you all are getting paid to work. If you or the teachers have a grievance with your employer that between you guys and not the students. Dont forget that the money that you earn comes from tax payers like me. You may be proud of your less than a week hack job, but its irrelevant to this test. What is relevant is the outcome of said test, did it do what was intended? The logistics are important as well but, the most important part is if it will help kids succeed in their school careers.

Personally my solution doesnt involve the use of PARCC testing. Students already take exams in their classes every semester. So banning tests is not the answer since if we used that reasoning there could be no testing at all. And where would that leave us? Why not just use those exams as the metric? Such proposals though are not being heard with the opt out crowd crying about kids taking tests that are hard and make extra work for public employees. For ****s sake tests are supposed to be hard not easy when evaluating what the students need to learn. And employees are supposed to work.

 

[NeverTrump]

1. How come the opt out movement was started before any school actually took the test? Why the preemptive move and all the obvious parroting by the opponents of PARCC? Why is there so much misinformation by the anti-PARCC crowd? For me the opt out/ anti PARCC/Common Core movement is rather obviously hyper partisan hackery, and a election year ploy to boot. I mean what politicians publicly are making a deal out of this test? The answer is that they are all right wing libertarians. They are not making a valid point they are just attacking anything that they feel threatens their ideology. Its no different than leftists attacking capitalism with no actual rational other than they hate it.

2. It isnt that I am pro-PARCC, its just that you havent made a case against it. Why should I be upset about PARCC as a parent and not a damn teacher or tech guy?

3. Personally my solution doesnt involve the use of PARCC testing. Students already take exams in their classes every semester. So banning tests is not the answer since if we used that reasoning there could be no testing at all. And where would that leave us? Why not just use those exams as the metric? Such proposals though are not being heard with the opt out crowd crying about kids taking tests that are hard and make extra work for public employees. For ****s sake tests are supposed to be hard not easy when evaluating what the students need to learn. And employees are supposed to work.

1. Actually upon further research, most of the states that were involved with PARCC and dropped out were concerned over costs and federal oversight. Sure while there is a nice blend of political advocates for the anti-common core people to latch onto, they are honestly just noise makers. Especially in the states without Parcc you still have these guys more vocal then ever. You are giving them too much credit. These people are certainly louder and get more attention in the states that are currently testing, but I doubt they'll do much to stop it. Notice the BLUE states they are all (mostly) in. The states that have dropped out before the test was administered had legitimate concerns about it. You are simply ignoring that part of the discussion. The states that dropped out recently did so because lo and behold, costs increased. WOW!!! Not the Government increasing costs?? I'm not sure if that should be considered an education tax... but that's a different discussion. Most of this information can be easily searched and it's clear you didn't do this because your a parent and you don't care who it effects as long as it doesn't effect you. (Even though it does). I'm quite surprised there was a very neutral Wikipedia page on the subject.

2. i have made a few different cases against it. Take your pick. You either ignore what I say, or say it doesn't matter.

3. This is a really really strange paragraph. You apparently have a solution for this, that doesn't involve parcc testing. So on some level you don't like it. Yet, you have the audacity to say oh it's ok. People shouldn't complain, people should just take the thing, do the work and hope and pray that everything turns out alright?? There is nothing to be worried about and no complaint about it matters. I will never register as a Democrat due to thinking like that which gushes from that party.

 

[NeverTrump]

The only question that remains for politicians in the future is: What is the point of a supposed nation-wide standardized education measuring tool if only 12 states are taking it?

These are the only tests currently taking it with lots of confusion and opt-out movements across districts.
Arkansas
Colorado
DC
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Rhode Island

 

[Fiddytree]

The only question that remains for politicians in the future is: What is the point of a supposed nation-wide standardized education measuring tool if only 12 states are taking it?

These are the only tests currently taking it with lots of confusion and opt-out movements across districts.
Arkansas
Colorado
DC
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Rhode Island

Edit: My apologies, wrong examination. Will write later.

I've gotten to the point where it's difficult to stomach hearing about the yammering regarding Common Core, so I just try to side step most of that nonsense.

 

[Fiddytree]

The only question that remains for politicians in the future is: What is the point of a supposed nation-wide standardized education measuring tool if only 12 states are taking it?

These are the only tests currently taking it with lots of confusion and opt-out movements across districts.
Arkansas
Colorado
DC
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Rhode Island

Alright, keep in mind that details kind of slip in and out of my mind and my other more pertinent research in current ed policy (and its history) has me getting certain details fuzzy. I might even be right on the money, even if I didn't mean it. On top of that, there's about maybe 2-4 posters on this forum who may have a better idea than I do about this (I would perhaps feel confident that discussions with Fox, Dittohead, rabbit, and Josie would be safe bets). Right now you have two competing standardized examinations, which if I remember correctly, states needed to join one or the other (PARCC or Smarter Balanced). However, what I do not recall is if states could create their own. If they do, it may need to be seen as comparable to the other two. However, the interesting thing to remember is that if states accept one or the other, I do believe both have the ability to be customizable for each state's needs (i.e. cross-state translation issues may occur). That being said, the federal government found these two programs to be worthy of endorsing. At the very least, that should tell us that we have a degree of commonality between each testing program, even though each may be different and each state will have differences on top of that.

Now, the biggest issue I have is not knowing with any real degree how each test compares with the other (including NAEP). As such, I defer almost all of that discussion to more familiar minds.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

1. Actually upon further research, most of the states that were involved with PARCC and dropped out were concerned over costs and federal oversight. Sure while there is a nice blend of political advocates for the anti-common core people to latch onto, they are honestly just noise makers. Especially in the states without Parcc you still have these guys more vocal then ever. You are giving them too much credit. These people are certainly louder and get more attention in the states that are currently testing, but I doubt they'll do much to stop it. Notice the BLUE states they are all (mostly) in. The states that have dropped out before the test was administered had legitimate concerns about it. You are simply ignoring that part of the discussion. The states that dropped out recently did so because lo and behold, costs increased. WOW!!! Not the Government increasing costs?? I'm not sure if that should be considered an education tax... but that's a different discussion. Most of this information can be easily searched and it's clear you didn't do this because your a parent and you don't care who it effects as long as it doesn't effect you. (Even though it does). I'm quite surprised there was a very neutral Wikipedia page on the subject.

Blue states Red states? Nothing partisan about the issue at all? Whatever dreditable concerns that tax payers have about it is drowned out by partisan chest thumping.

I havent heard you complaining about making money off of PARCC yet.

2. i have made a few different cases against it. Take your pick. You either ignore what I say, or say it doesn't matter.

Yes you have said some things but not enough for me to opt out my kids. I mean the money has already been spent, opting out what save any money. And I already keep informed about such things.

3. This is a really really strange paragraph. You apparently have a solution for this, that doesn't involve parcc testing. So on some level you don't like it. Yet, you have the audacity to say oh it's ok. People shouldn't complain, people should just take the thing, do the work and hope and pray that everything turns out alright?? There is nothing to be worried about and no complaint about it matters. I will never register as a Democrat due to thinking like that which gushes from that party.

I also have the audacity to assert that I dont like SAT's but wouldnt suggest someone opting out of taking it. ANd sure people can complain about anything, I dont care. Also many students have already taken the test, what else is there to do now but wait and see what happens next? If it turns out to be a big waste of time, then there will be hell to pay.But then it might prove to have good results, what happens then? Do you and the others nay sayers recant?


Speaking of reading comprehension, did you read those quotes I gave you from your links? Specifically those ones that stated that despite some early glitches everything worked. ANd the one where they stated that schools that didnt have the technology took the tests on paper. Are you ignoring that or did you not want to talk about that?

 

[NeverTrump]

1. I havent heard you complaining about making money off of PARCC yet.

2. Yes you have said some things but not enough for me to opt out my kids. I mean the money has already been spent, opting out what save any money. And I already keep informed about such things.

3. Speaking of reading comprehension, did you read those quotes I gave you from your links? Specifically those ones that stated that despite some early glitches everything worked. ANd the one where they stated that schools that didnt have the technology took the tests on paper. Are you ignoring that or did you not want to talk about that?

1. I haven't made any extra money off the test, but politicians and Pearson surely have.

2. I never said that you must make your kids opt-out. I don't care about the opt-out movement. Actually, I believe if they wanted it to have more success opt-out shouldn't be an option. I believe in the beginning it wasn't an option hence the backlash, so it was created later.

3. Yeah, but it gives me chills to think about how many problems could have arisen if the entire country took it. The activists didn't shut down the test like you believe. The test was already canned in many of the states where those people actually DO attempt to and write the laws. The current activists are more of a partisan response to the test itself in the states that are on-going. Activists didn't even hear of the test in those other states, and are pretty content that their states opted-out. Before they even had to lift a sign in protest.