Framingham Schools: Initial Reports on PARCC Testing 'Encouraging'

The following was submitted by Grace Wai, the director of curriculum and professional development for Framingham Public Schools:

PARCC administration began this week in some Framingham schools and initial reports are encouraging.

Concern: PARCC is a timed test. MCAS is untimed, which potentially resulted in the loss of whole days of school.

• “All testing was completed by noon, enabling teachers to teach in the afternoon.”
• ”Every student was finished in the allotted amount of time.”

Concern: Students would not be ready for the level of difficulty.

However, so far:

• “Students reported that reading passages were appropriate.”
• “Seven questions (with parts a, b, and c) is less overwhelming than 42.”
• ”Students were excited to recognize particular reading passages from grade level appropriate texts and social studies topics.”

Concern: The district is not ready for the computer based test.

(Note: One middle school is trying out the computer based test, while the remaining students in grades 3-8 are taking the paper test.)

“Thanks to the fabulous FPS Technology Team, Fuller’s online PARCC process has been relatively smooth.”

The district is proud of its staff and students for the smooth and successful start to state testing.