Assembly approves bill scaling back scope of PARCC tests
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Assembly has voted in favor of a measure that would bar educators from using new standardized tests to determine student placement for three years.
Lawmakers approved the bill Monday. It's aimed at addressing some parents' concerns surrounding the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests.
The bill bars the state Education Department from using the test as a way to determine students' placement in advanced or gifted programs for three years, beginning with the next school year.
It also prevents state officials from using the test as a graduation requirement.
The tests have drawn mixed reactions. Critics argue teachers spend too much time with test preparation, while supporters say it deserves a chance to succeed.
Assembly Education Committee Chairman and bill sponsor Assemblyman Pat Diegnan (D-South Plainfield) called the test "confusing" but said it should be used as a pilot program.
“The test as we have now everyone agrees is flawed. Rather than just suspending the whole process it’s my belief let’s do it. Let’s use it as a pilot (program)," Diegnan said. “I took the test. It is really not a valid gauge of a child’s performance. It’s tricky. It’s confusing.”
Jane Ellen Duffy with Jersey Campaign for Achievement Now (CAN) said it could be a while before an evaluation to measure student and teacher performance is developed.“It’s actually a five-year delay because of the way DOE calculates," she said. "That’s a very long time to wait to have an objective measure for student performance and teacher evaluation.”
Townsquare Media Reporter Kevin McArdle contributed to this report.
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