Next Generation Assessments

Support for the Common Core State Standards remains strong around the nation. In numerous states students and teachers are test driving the next generation assessments aligned to the more rigorous standards. Here are some of the best of recent clips with links, excerpts and quotes:  

Students deserve higher assessment standards 

By Mariana White, Cincinnati.com

April 10, 2014  

"Lately, there has been a lot of talk nationally regarding the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tied to the Common Core standards. Despite the negative talk, Ohio needs to embrace the PARCC. For too long, Ohio's tests have not measured the critical thinking skills that our students actually need to succeed and become contributing members of our democratic society. But thanks to Ohio's New Learning Standards - as well as the PARCC assessments with which they are aligned - we can be sure that our students are on track for college and career readiness.  

"The status quo - where less than half of Ohio eighth graders are proficient in math and reading - is not good enough, and opponents of higher standards and the aligned assessment offer no alternative to improve our kids' chances of success.  

"This state took a huge step to improve our kids' education when it adopted Ohio's New Learning Standards. These more rigorous standards set consistent expectations for what every student needs to know and be able to do in order to succeed in college and in their careers. Rather than covering an impossibly broad curriculum, teachers can now help students become more complex thinkers and better problem solvers by delving deeper into a much smaller number of curriculum standards.  

"To complement these rigorous learning standards, we also need a high-quality assessment that measures real-world skills, like critical thinking and problem solving - and that's what the PARCC assessment does.  

"Because parts of the new assessments are taken early in the year, teachers will able to know if a student is falling behind and needs extra help and can adjust instruction to ensure every child is learning what he or she needs to be on track to succeed.  

"Our students deserve these higher standards and the PARCC assessment."  

Another Voice: Mastering test-taking is essential to children's development

By Lauren Ormsby, The Buffalo News

April 6, 2014  

"As the New York State Common Core assessments get under way, I have noticed that the anti-testing hysteria seems to be ramping up. Many opponents of testing speak as if testing is an entirely new concept in education. While many of us know this to be untrue, others are lured into the debate by memes of children with their head in their hands with a caption that says, 'Childhood happens only once.'  

"Humans have taken tests for hundreds of years. Civil service testing dates back to 1883. As a superintendent, I had to pass more than 10 certification exams. I had to take three standardized tests just to be accepted into college. The ability to take tests is essential, and as a mother, I want my children to master this skill. I want them to learn how to manage stress and identify the strategies that will help them to succeed.  

"As parents, we want to protect our children from discomfort, but ultimately it is our job to prepare them to be successful in life. By creating a culture where tests are harmful enemies, we may raise children who may not only fear tests, but may lack the necessary skills and strategies to demonstrate their full potential to future employers and admissions offices. Additionally, tests can help us as educators identify areas we are doing well in, and areas that need our focus, for individual students, teachers and schools.  

"The Common Core Standards represent rigorous expectations of what a child is expected to learn, providing additional data about a child's learning. As a parent, I want to understand how my children are progressing in reaching these standards. Similar to the annual 'well-child' check, the state assessments provide an annual look at the academic health of my children.  

"Opponents will say that we do not get enough information back to make it useful, however, I would disagree. In my opinion the 1-4 rating provided by the state is enough, considering the test, similar to the well-child visit, is based on one date in time. Considering we accept a 'thumbs-up' from our family practitioner, it would seem a rating scale is sufficient. This information combined with formative assessments received throughout the school year help to develop a picture of my children's academic performance.  

"The largest concern I have with test-refusal is the message sent to children when directing them to, 'refuse the test' or 'opt-out.' In asking a child to refuse a test, we send a negative message to children about their education and lose an opportunity to help develop skills that will support future success.  

"As a parent and principal, this is a good thing; we need to know how our students and teachers are doing. In the whirlwind of media reports, we need to hear more from the classrooms and schools living the work." 

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Achieve has developed materials to help states, districts, and others understand the organization and content of the standards and the content and evidence base used to support the standards. Visit www.achieve.org/achieving-common-core.   If you find a news clip supportive of the Common Core, please send it to Chad Colby at ccolby@achieve.org.