January+2015

January 6, 2015

 * Text Complexity **

The CCSS devote considerable attention to the types and nature of texts used in instruction and assessment. The foundation for preparing students for the linguistic rigors of college and the workplace lies in the texts with which they interact. By the time they graduate, students should be prepared to successfully read and analyze the types of complex texts they will encounter after high school.

One of the major shifts of the CCSS is an emphasis on developing skills for comprehending and analyzing informational texts. Increased exposure to informational texts better prepares students for the various types of texts they will encounter in college and the workplace. The array of passages selected for the PARCC Mid-Year and Summative assessments in grades 3-11 should support the development of the necessary skills to handle this range of informational texts.

Another shift is an increased emphasis on the analysis across multiple texts, often of varied genres and media. Several standards focus on the integration of knowledge and ideas across multiple texts and genres and, therefore, require inter-textual and multi-media analysis. These expectations require special attention to selection of related passages, chosen specifically to support assessment of the full range of expectations.

Attached is a document with detailed information about how the PARCC ELA passages were selected; this information may assist you in selecting passages for your students.

This link will take you to the online practice site. [|http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#]

January 15, 2016
Starting this week, the PARCC site ([|www.parcconline.org]) will be posting a sample test item each week. This week’s item can be found here:

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From the PARCC site: Because the test is deeply aligned to the standards, there’s no need for “test prep” in the traditional sense – and it would do little good. That’s because the test questions and tasks require students to show their understanding of concepts, their ability to write, capacity to reason mathematically, and the ability to apply these skills. You can’t drill for that – but effective and engaging teaching all year long by great teachers will prepare students.

This link will take you to the online practice site. [|http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#January 22

 * Equation Editor **

The Equation Editor is a key tool that students in all grades will need to know when taking the online version of the PARCC Assessments. Julie C. Lyons has written a blog post that clearly explains how the equation editor works, including suggestions for supporting students in learning to use it. []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This link will take you to the online practice site. [|http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">January 29
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Many people are asking about “opt-out” options for PARCC. Below is guidance I received from Dan Frederking, Principal Consultant in the Division of Student Assessment at ISBE. <span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Email: dfrederk@isbe.net, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Phone: (866) 317-6034.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, ISBE has designated the PARCC assessment as the annual State assessment of English language arts and mathematics pursuant to 105 ILCS 2-3.64a-5 (PA 98-972). ISBE has long taken the position that parents, students, schools, and districts do not have the ability to "opt-out" of the State assessment. No Child Left Behind requires all states receiving Title I funds (such as Illinois) to provide for the participation in the state's academic assessment of all designated students. Allowing for an "opt-out" would directly contravene that federal mandate as well as state law.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Moreover, districts face lower public school recognition status and threaten their receipt of state and federal funds if they break the law and do not administer the State assessment. Additionally, teachers and administrators who willingly refuse to comply with federal and state law face local disciplinary action and possible action by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Here is a link to the complete School Code if you'd like to read more: [|http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1005&ChapAct=105&#160;ILCS&160;5/&ChapterID=17&ChapterName=SCHOOLS&ActName=School+Code]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">His caveat: //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Do know, however, that I am just a consultant working in the assessment division. I'm not management nor am I a member of the state legislature so I don't have the authority to influence policy or state law. I can only tell you what the law says. // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">If you have questions about this, please contact Dan at the Illinois State Board of Education.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">This link will take you to the online practice site. [|http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#]