PARCC scores for English Language Arts were higher than for Math. PARCC stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers and the rigorous standardized test replaced the previous NJ ASK (New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge) test last year. Both experienced their share of controversy when they were introduced with claims that standardized testing does not adequately gauge a student’s learning experience nor a teacher’s effectiveness in instruction.
PARCC is separated into two major sections (English Language Arts & Math) and five levels:
- LEVEL 1: Did Not Yet Meet Grade-Level Expectations
- LEVEL 2: Partially Met Grade-Level Expectations
- LEVEL 3: Approached Grade-Level Expectations
- LEVEL 4: Met Grade-Level Expectations
- LEVEL 5: Exceeded Grade-Level Expectations
Results provided show that the a higher percent of students met or exceeded expectations for English Language Arts than for Math in each grade level with the exception of the 6th and 9th grades. The 8th grade had the highest percentage of students who met or exceeded grade level expectation (64%).
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 & 5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 8.4% | 12.6% | 28.0% | 49.0% | 2.1% | 51.1% |
| Grade 4 | 4.1% | 9.5% | 32.7% | 39.5% | 14.3% | 53.8% |
| Grade 5 | 0.7% | 13.6% | 28.6% | 55.1% | 2.0% | 57.1% |
| Grade 6 | 3.0% | 17.3% | 42.1% | 33.1% | 4.5% | 37.6% |
| Grade 7 | 6.2% | 12.3% | 33.3% | 37.7% | 10.5% | 48.2% |
| Grade 8 | 6.5% | 9.5% | 20.1% | 54.4% | 9.5% | 63.9% |
| Grade 9 | 8.8% | 23.4% | 36.5% | 28.5% | 2.9% | 31.4% |
| Grade 10 | 15.0% | 17.7% | 28.6% | 33.3% | 5.4% | 38.7% |
| Grade 11 | 17.1% | 17.8% | 21.2% | 41.1% | 2.7% | 43.8% |
The English Language Arts scores were given further detail by showing the percentages for each of the five schools in the district. Each of the elementary schools had two grades with over 50% of those who took the PARCC meeting or exceeding their grade level expectations. The middle school’s 8th grade was the only class to have more than 1 out of 2 students who took the test meet or exceed expectations. The high school had no grade have more than 50% meet expectations.
| Grade | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 & 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 19.0% | 4.8% | 33.3% | 42.9% | 0.0% | 42.9% |
| 4 | 8.9% | 8.9% | 24.4% | 48.9% | 8.9% | 57.8% |
| 5 | 1.9% | 15.4% | 32.7% | 46.2% | 3.8% | 50.0% |
| 3 | 4.2% | 14.6% | 33.3% | 47.9% | 0.0% | 47.9% |
| 4 | 2.5% | 10.0% | 30.0% | 37.5% | 20.0% | 57.5% |
| 5 | 0.0% | 18.2% | 31.8% | 50.0% | 0.0% | 50.0% |
| 3 | 3.8% | 17.0% | 18.9% | 54.7% | 5.7% | 60.4% |
| 4 | 1.6% | 9.7% | 40.3% | 33.9% | 14.5% | 48.4% |
| 5 | 0.0% | 7.8% | 21.6% | 68.6% | 2.0% | 70.6% |
| 6 | 3.0% | 17.3% | 42.1% | 33.1% | 4.5% | 37.6% |
| 7 | 6.2% | 12.3% | 33.3% | 37.7% | 10.5% | 48.2% |
| 8 | 6.5% | 9.5% | 20.1% | 54.4% | 9.5% | 63.9% |
| 9 | 8.8% | 23.4% | 36.5% | 28.5% | 2.9% | 31.4% |
| 10 | 15.0% | 17.7% | 28.6% | 33.3% | 5.4% | 38.7% |
| 11 | 17.1% | 17.8% | 21.2% | 41.1% | 2.7% | 43.8% |
In comparison to all schools in the nation that took part in PARCC English Language Arts, Roselle Park fared better the rest of the nation in all but two grades (6th and 9th). The district also scored higher than the rest of the states with the exception of grades 6, 7, and 9.
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| Grade 11 |
PARCC scores are not currently used to measure teachers during their evaluations. Even though PARCC scores are not a requirement in order for students to graduate, it can be used beneficially since high school seniors have to get a passing score in one of four standardized tests in order to be able to graduate. The tests are ACT (American College Test), ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), PARCC, and SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test).
RPSD School Superintendent Pedro Garrido stated that this year’s scores are to be considered a baseline upon which future scores will be gauged against in order to measure progress or address any areas of concern.