Tag: N.J. standardized tests

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New Jersey Assembly overwhelmingly passes PARCC Rollback Resolution

April 20, 2011 John de Rosier editorial cartoon
March 18th 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Assembly (ACR215) overwhelmingly passes. The bill is a major step in overturning the requirement to pass the PARCC test to graduate high school in New Jersey.

In a 67-3 vote,(67 Yeas; 3 Nays;2 Abstain; 8 Not Voting) the Assembly yesterday approved a joint resolution that would stop the state from requiring students to pass the PARCC tests for Algebra I and for 10th grade language arts to graduate. The requirement is in effect for the Class of 2021.

Local Assembly members Robert Auth (R-39) and Holly Schepisi (R-39) who voted YES along with 65 others!

Voting “No”: Asm. Anthony Bucco-R-25); Erik Peterson (R-23); and Jay Webber (R-26). Abstaining: Jon Bramnick (R-21); Gregory McGuckin (R-10).

Not Voting Michael Carroll (R-25); Joseph Egan (D-17); Reed Gusciora (D-15); Declan O’Scanlon (R-13); Eliana Pintor-Marin (D-29); Kevin Rooney (R-40); David Russo (R-40); David Wolfe (R-10.)

The Assembly has long been the center of PARCC dissent, the Senate has not taken any action President Steve Sweeney has yet to even post the companion resolution ( SCR132)  in committee. Sweeney has said he is not opposed to PARCC and raised the question about what would replace it.

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New SATs have North Jersey students prepping for worst

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BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

When the new SAT is given for the first time on March 5, many high school students across North Jersey will be sitting it out.

They’re concerned that the test, uncharted and unfamiliar, will be too much of a gamble despite test makers’ pledge that the new version will focus more on what students learn in school and less on test prep and “tricks.” Even some guidance counselors and experts are urging students to wait before taking the new test or to take an alternative college-entrance exam called the ACT.

“We have been talking about this at length,” said Kelly Peterfriend, counseling supervisor at Northern Highlands Regional High School, who is recommending that students take the ACT. “The reason is that you have to give the College Board, the colleges and the test-prep companies time to see what the new test is all about.”

The SAT, created in the 1920s and administered by the non-profit College Board, remains an important measure for admission at many colleges, and in an academically competitive area like North Jersey, students may spend months or even years preparing for the exam. But now, those lessons could mean little as students sit for an exam with a new format, content and questions — one where strategies long taught by tutors no longer apply.

While experts say the test changes could be good for students in the long term, the current crop of high school juniors say they feel confused and worried about the choices before them, and how the changes will affect their scores and college prospects.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-sats-have-north-jersey-students-prepping-for-worst-1.1515693

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Reading and math scores dip slightly on N.J. standardized tests

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Reading and math scores dip slightly on N.J. standardized tests

NOVEMBER 5, 2014, 8:31 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2014, 8:36 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Student scores on New Jersey tests in reading and math last spring dipped slightly from the previous year, dropping by less than a percentage point in high school and in Grades 3 to 8.

The scores come from the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge and High School Proficiency Assessment — which are in their final year of use in the state. They are being replaced with a new exam, the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, which is tied to the Common Core curriculum standards.

The state adopted the Common Core in 2010 and has spent the past few years teaching those standards and preparing for the new online tests that will be required this spring.

Acting Education Commissioner David Hespe said that the tests given last spring were also aligned with those standards as part of that transition. He noted that the scores were nearly the same as last year.

“Even with the higher standards being incorporated in New Jersey classrooms, the high levels of student performance have remained steady,” Hespe said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/reading-and-math-scores-dip-slightly-on-n-j-standardized-tests-1.1127122