Roopa Rao, Automation Engineer
January 15, 2015
In a recent online video, a 10-year-old girl from New Jersey states bluntly, “PARCC stinks.” Her statement sums up what many parents, students, teachers, and administrators feel about this new nation-wide set of standardized assessments. But has PARCC been given a bad reputation prematurely? Can these assessments ultimately help American children advance their education and their careers? In this blog post, the author investigates PARCC and Common Core standards in order to decide for herself whether the new assessments do, in fact, stink.
I recently saw a video about a 10-year-old girl from New Jersey who stated bluntly, “PARCC stinks.” I thought about her comment, and decided to research PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) and Common Core standards in order to decide for myself whether or not PARCC really does stink.As with many topics, PARCC and Common Core standards have been politicized in the United States, and have become a hot topic with parents, teachers, school administrators, and students in the last few years. However, since children in 4th grade and higher will be taking PARCC assessments beginning this school year, it’s about time we come to terms with it, for better or for worse.
In the video, 10-year-old Elizabeth Blaine says the following about PARCC:
I took a EOY (end of the year) practice test for math in preparation for the PARCC. On the practice test there was adding, multiplying, and subtracting fractions, long division, and geometry. All of these things we have not learned (or even started learning yet). And we are supposed to know these concepts mentally by the end of the year!¹
Ms. Blaine may find it hard to learn it all, but by the end of the year she will be prepared. Last year, all of the 4th graders in New Jersey learned these concepts and were able to take the NJ ASK exam (New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge) based on those concepts. This year will be no different.
Ms. Blaine continues:
I also don’t like the PARCC because it is all on computers. On the test we will have to type full essays in a time limit, when most of us have not ever typed before! We might have taken a technology class, but we are not required to. Why couldn’t they make the test on paper? Also, my technology teacher told us that if, during the test, we click out — we’re out. Another thing that I don’t like is that we have lost six periods due to PARCC preparation. The preparation is for the technology on the test. The technology includes things like using a drag and drop ruler, a drag and drop protractor, drop-down windows, and scroll bars that only move certain mini windows only. And, there is this part (on some questions) where you make your own equation to show your work.¹
In short, Ms. Blaine argues that the technology aspect of the PARCC exam has consumed parts of her school day that could have been better spent learning in the classroom. Unfortunately for Ms. Blaine, the world around us is evolving, and computers have become a major part of it whether we like it or not. Most jobs these days require computer proficiency, a trend that will only continue in the future. Even senior centers are arranging computer classes for their elderly members and residents.
Fear of new technology should not stop young children from learning it. Quite the opposite: young children now are so good at learning new technology, including computers, smart phones, and apps, that they can teach a thing or two to their parents and grandparents. In addition, most exams these days are taken on computers, and students need to get used to it sooner rather than later. As for typing, I understand that adequate test time is given to PARCC students who do not touch-type, so that they will be able to complete the exam even if they do not excel on the keyboard.
Further, Common Core standards are higher than the current standards set for students, because Common Core standards are developed with college and career readiness in mind. As an example, consider my friend’s son, who attended a highly rated public high school and got into an Ivy League school. We were all very proud of him. At the end of his four years, I asked him about his experience in college. He was very honest and said he was not fully prepared for it; he thought it was harder for him than for other students who came from private schools, and he had to put in extra work to keep up with them. His advice for younger students would be to go to private school so that they can make the most of their college education. But not all of us can afford a private high school education.
College administrators have been saying the same thing as my friend’s son. Most students are not prepared for a college education. Common Core might, in fact, help to bridge that gap so that students do not have to struggle in college.
By the time our kids grow up, the world will be even smaller than it is today. People from many countries will be competing for the same jobs, and Americans shouldn’t lose out because our education standards are lower/easier compared to global standards. It is already happening in some fields, and will only get worse if we don’t do something about it now.
Recently, I went to my kindergartner’s parent-teacher session. My son can read, write, and add and subtract single-digit numbers. I thought the teacher was going to be very impressed and congratulate me on my child’s knowledge. But I was shocked when the teacher said that he needs to be able to write short paragraphs using “wh” questions (e.g., what, when, where, etc.). It’s easy to blame the new standards for this, but I think I better start preparing my five-year old even more than I have been, because he will thank me later for it.
Yes, Common Core is going to be hard for students, educators, and parents. But children will be better prepared for college and careers because of it. It is sad that some parents are deciding to opt out of PARCC exams. It may mean opting out of a good college and a better life for their children in the future.
CITATIONS:
1. “10 Year Old Girl Speaks Out About Common Core Stupidity – Elizabeth Blaine – New Jersey.” Posted by Jerry Fuller. YouTube. Accessed January 14, 2015.
Roopa Rao, Automation Engineer
January 15, 2015
In a recent online video, a 10-year-old girl from New Jersey states bluntly, “PARCC stinks.” Her statement sums up what many parents, students, teachers, and administrators feel about this new nation-wide set of standardized assessments. But has PARCC been given a bad reputation prematurely? Can these assessments ultimately help American children advance their education and their careers? In this blog post, the author investigates PARCC and Common Core standards in order to decide for herself whether the new assessments do, in fact, stink.
I recently saw a video about a 10-year-old girl from New Jersey who stated bluntly, “PARCC stinks.” I thought about her comment, and decided to research PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) and Common Core standards in order to decide for myself whether or not PARCC really does stink.As with many topics, PARCC and Common Core standards have been politicized in the United States, and have become a hot topic with parents, teachers, school administrators, and students in the last few years. However, since children in 4th grade and higher will be taking PARCC assessments beginning this school year, it’s about time we come to terms with it, for better or for worse.
In the video, 10-year-old Elizabeth Blaine says the following about PARCC:
I took a EOY (end of the year) practice test for math in preparation for the PARCC. On the practice test there was adding, multiplying, and subtracting fractions, long division, and geometry. All of these things we have not learned (or even started learning yet). And we are supposed to know these concepts mentally by the end of the year!¹
Ms. Blaine may find it hard to learn it all, but by the end of the year she will be prepared. Last year, all of the 4th graders in New Jersey learned these concepts and were able to take the NJ ASK exam (New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge) based on those concepts. This year will be no different.
Ms. Blaine continues:
I also don’t like the PARCC because it is all on computers. On the test we will have to type full essays in a time limit, when most of us have not ever typed before! We might have taken a technology class, but we are not required to. Why couldn’t they make the test on paper? Also, my technology teacher told us that if, during the test, we click out — we’re out. Another thing that I don’t like is that we have lost six periods due to PARCC preparation. The preparation is for the technology on the test. The technology includes things like using a drag and drop ruler, a drag and drop protractor, drop-down windows, and scroll bars that only move certain mini windows only. And, there is this part (on some questions) where you make your own equation to show your work.¹
In short, Ms. Blaine argues that the technology aspect of the PARCC exam has consumed parts of her school day that could have been better spent learning in the classroom. Unfortunately for Ms. Blaine, the world around us is evolving, and computers have become a major part of it whether we like it or not. Most jobs these days require computer proficiency, a trend that will only continue in the future. Even senior centers are arranging computer classes for their elderly members and residents.
Fear of new technology should not stop young children from learning it. Quite the opposite: young children now are so good at learning new technology, including computers, smart phones, and apps, that they can teach a thing or two to their parents and grandparents. In addition, most exams these days are taken on computers, and students need to get used to it sooner rather than later. As for typing, I understand that adequate test time is given to PARCC students who do not touch-type, so that they will be able to complete the exam even if they do not excel on the keyboard.
Further, Common Core standards are higher than the current standards set for students, because Common Core standards are developed with college and career readiness in mind. As an example, consider my friend’s son, who attended a highly rated public high school and got into an Ivy League school. We were all very proud of him. At the end of his four years, I asked him about his experience in college. He was very honest and said he was not fully prepared for it; he thought it was harder for him than for other students who came from private schools, and he had to put in extra work to keep up with them. His advice for younger students would be to go to private school so that they can make the most of their college education. But not all of us can afford a private high school education.
College administrators have been saying the same thing as my friend’s son. Most students are not prepared for a college education. Common Core might, in fact, help to bridge that gap so that students do not have to struggle in college.
By the time our kids grow up, the world will be even smaller than it is today. People from many countries will be competing for the same jobs, and Americans shouldn’t lose out because our education standards are lower/easier compared to global standards. It is already happening in some fields, and will only get worse if we don’t do something about it now.
Recently, I went to my kindergartner’s parent-teacher session. My son can read, write, and add and subtract single-digit numbers. I thought the teacher was going to be very impressed and congratulate me on my child’s knowledge. But I was shocked when the teacher said that he needs to be able to write short paragraphs using “wh” questions (e.g., what, when, where, etc.). It’s easy to blame the new standards for this, but I think I better start preparing my five-year old even more than I have been, because he will thank me later for it.
Yes, Common Core is going to be hard for students, educators, and parents. But children will be better prepared for college and careers because of it. It is sad that some parents are deciding to opt out of PARCC exams. It may mean opting out of a good college and a better life for their children in the future.
CITATIONS:
1. “10 Year Old Girl Speaks Out About Common Core Stupidity – Elizabeth Blaine – New Jersey.” Posted by Jerry Fuller. YouTube. Accessed January 14, 2015. http://youtu.be/KgqwfgjqV4I.