Common Core Field Assessments Going Relatively Smoothly

Early reports are showing that common core field assessments are going pretty smoothly with just a few technological issues and some concerns over the difficulty of new assessments. According to Education Week, the majority of states that have adopted the Common Core Standards are using assessments developed by two organizations — the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

Currently, there are 22 states signed up to take the SBAC assessments, including California, North Carolina and Connecticut. Field tests began March 22 and will continue through June 13, with 21 states participating. Over 3 million students, in grades three through 11, will take the field test in either English language arts or math. In some states, only a percentage of students are participating while other states have opted to have the majority participate. The field test resembles the actual assessments that will be conducted in spring of 2015, is not timed and can be broken up over the course of a few days (it takes two to four hours to complete). Students participating in field testing will not be sent scores. Ultimately, the SBAC is faithful to the values of the Common Core and intends to “measure real-world skills in English and math, such as analytical reading, persuasive writing, and problem solving.”

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)

PARCC assessments are being used in 17 states, including Arizona, New York and Illinois. Field tests have been conducted throughout the spring in 14 participating states. Over a million students are participating in field testing with some students just taking part of a test, some taking tests on computers (assessments are computer-based) and some students taking pencil and paper versions (this will continue to be an option while schools build their existing technology). March 24 through April 11 consisted of field testing performance components of the assessments while May 6 through June 6 focused on the “end-of-year assessment.” Like the SBAC, the PARCC field tests are similar to the actual assessments that will be rolled out in the spring of 2015. Each portion of the assessment can take up to three hours (maximum) to complete. Also aligned to the Common Core standards, the PARCC assessments have a goal to “allow parents and educators to see how children are progressing in school and whether they are on track for postsecondary success. The PARCC assessment also provides teachers with the ability to identify students who may be falling behind and need extra help.”

What the States Are Saying

Education News reports that there have been few issues with field testing. Schools that already give computer-based assessments have found that the field-testing process runs smoothly. Schools that have student populations with few technological resources or that traditionally give paper and pencil assessments are having a more difficult time with the transition. In Springfield, Ohio, Superintendent David Estrop reported that students found the navigation of assessments more challenging than the actual content. He asked, “Are we testing [students'] knowledge and skill of the content, or their knowledge and skill in using the device?” However, other students reported that they preferred the format of the computer-based assessments.

While glitches are expected to ensue as districts prepare for more computer-based assessments, some students are reporting that the new assessments are more difficult. Since the new assessments are still in their early stages, more valuable feedback should be available once all field tests are completed by mid June.

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