Some important FACTS are left out of this story. Yes the PARCC may be amore complete, accurate measure of overall "usuable knowledge" than the MCAS. Worthy goal!
BUT.....
one has to wonder why we are ROAD TESTING this test. The resuls are not going to be available to the teachers or even the superintendents. What do we hope to gain by testing this test? We are comparing it to..... the MCAS? It probably is a forgone conclusion it is going to replace the MCAS. It's a better test. Why are we wasting 'precious' time-on learning".
Well let me take a guess. Secretary CHESTER is on the board of the company that designed the PARCC and he is not on the one of the company that designed the other, I think more popular replacement assessment test So instead of actually comparing the two replacement tests side by side and actually getting some useable data, we are going through the motions to make it appear that our selection was impartial and psuedoscientific.
Insert cliche, FIGURES LIE, LIARS FIGURE.
Haven't you realized b now that Lynn taks money to do all sorts of "piloting" of programs, one after the other, often sticking with few of them once the money/grant is gone; and then on to the next one -- no matter what the continuity or lack thereof involved for the kids, o lack of real information educationally overall
ReplyDeleteBut this is not just a LYNN issue. Superintendents accross the state were almost strong armed into this test run.
DeleteThe districts willing to do this are many; and often the ones in the business of "piloting" various programs in order to supplement their funds; some districts are so responnsible to their parent base that they have to explain how they use the children's time among programs; some other districts flex around with eating up the schoolday in testing, and testing on basics in no frill ways for the majority; with only a few students having their school time in specialized programs with richer offerings based on how involved the parents are, and how they have focused their children for the future.
DeleteDo you think they had a choice? Wrong again brainiacs
ReplyDeleteActually you are right on this. I would guess they were strong armed into agreeing The real questions go about the higher ups intent.
DeleteYes they do! Well parents do anyway. That's why many parents are opting their children out from taking the pilot tests and many school committees around the state are supporting the parents.
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