RI Developing New School Test with 25 Other States
Monday, June 28, 2010
Rhode Island is one of 26 states that is developing a new standardized test that will measure how ready students are for college and careers starting in the third grade.
The tests will be the same in all 26 states, making it easier to compare how students in different states are doing and ensuring that meeting the standards in one state will count for another. The goal is to increase the numbers of students who are ready to enter college and the job market.
Last week, the 26-state group—known as the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC—applied for $150 million in federal funds to create the tests over the next four years. Together, the states have more than 60 percent of the students in kindergarten through high school in the United States.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRhode Island is one of 11 states in that group that is leading the effort in developing the next test, according to the state Department of Education.
“Through the PARCC consortium, we will develop a high-quality and rigorous assessment system that incorporates technology and innovative items,” said education commissioner Deborah Gist. “We will be able to provide educators, students, and families with timely and actionable information regarding student performance and with information about whether each student is on track to reach college and career readiness.”
The new tests, which cover math and English, will be administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11. Students will start taking them in the 2014-2015 school year.
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