Schools
Wayne Schools Cut Midterms and Finals from Curriculum, Cite Common Core
School officials say they will use the time prepping for finals to instead prep students for the new PARCC Exam, which will test Common Core standards at schools across the country starting next year, report says.
The Wayne School District has decided to cut midterms and finals from its curriculum, a controversial move that has some parents complaining, NorthJersey.com reported.
According to the report, the school board's decision to strike the end-cap exams was due to the introduction of the state's PARCC Exam, a computer-based assessment that tests students' understanding of Common Core standards, next year.
At an information session for parents held at Wayne Hills High School last week, school officials said cutting out midterms and finals will allow for more time to prep students for the PARCC, which is administered over 20 days throughout the school year, the report said.
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According to the report, parents brought up several concerns at the meeting, including thoughts that the switch will not prepare students for the midterm and final studying they will need to do in college.
The decision is the latest of several PARCC-related curriculum changes in the district that have parents talking. Wayne also removed history textbooks from its line-up, saying that the Common Core relies more on internet research and primary documents, the report said.
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