To:
PHS Parents and Students
From: PHS Administration
Date:
02/23/2015
Re:
PARCC March Testing
As many of you are already aware, state mandated assessments for all students in Colorado, changed at the end of 2013-2014 school year from TCAP to
PARCC/CMAS tests. PARCC tests are computer based exams that all freshman, sophomores, juniors and select seniors are required to take as part of their
graduation requirements. The PARCC tests are intended to assess our student’s proficiency level in both Math and English. Current graduation requirements as
outlined in District 51 Performance Based Policy require students to show proficiency on state mandated assessments makes PARCC tests, required tests. In
addition to evaluating your student’s proficiency, scores are also used by the state and district to evaluate curriculum, teaching strategies and our effectiveness
as a school. PARCC tests will be administered in two parts on the following schedule:
Performance Based Assessment (PBA) is given when 70% of instruction is completed. The test window allowed by Colorado Department of Education
(CDE) is February 23- March 20. PHS will test students March 09 – March 13 and on March 16th. See calendar on back.
End of Year (EOY) is given when 90% of instruction is completed. The test window allowed by CDE is April 27 – May 20. PHS will test students on April 27
– April 29.
The State’s rationale for testing students at the 70% and again at the 90% of instruction marks is to measure student growth. The biggest difference between
TCAP and PARCC is that PARCC is a computer based exam. In order to utilize the necessary technology and administer the exams, we must interrupt the normal
school day as we have with past standardized tests. Please note that when creating the PARCC testing calendar, our main objective was to minimize the impact
on instructional time while completing the challenge of testing each student required to take the Language Arts and Math PARCC tests.
FAQs
On the test days my student will be testing, what time should they be at school?
Your student should arrive at the normal arrival time, as testing will begin promptly at 7:30 in assigned computer labs across the PHS campus. It is critical for your
student to be in their testing area on time in order to log into their computer and receive group instructions as required for each test.
Do busses run on testing days?
Busses will run on the regular schedule arriving to and from PHS. During the test days when school is not in session and students have completed their tests, they are
free to leave campus. * However, Jrs are expected to stay after testing on March 11th for scheduling activities.
Will Career Center and WCCC still be in session on the testing days where classes are not in session?
Yes, and all busses to these campuses will be running on their regular schedules.
PARCC Performance Based Assessment (PBA-1st round of state-mandated testing)
March
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
9
10
ELA 9th
9 grade ONLY
10th – 12th Do Not
Attend
ELA 10th
10 grade ONLY
th
9 , 11th & 12th Do Not
Attend
11
ELA 11th Testing then
Scheduling presentation
11th grade ONLY
th
9 , 10th & 12th Do Not
Attend
12
Math 1 Test
13
Math 2 Test
Regular School –Classes in
session. All Grades Attend
Regular School –Classes in
session. All Grades Attend
16
17 - 20
Regular School Day
Make up Tests
ALL Students Attend
th
All Math 3 students
AND 9th & 10th graders
who did not test on
Thur or Fri (12th & 13th)
th
Spring Break
Monday
03/23
3/30
Tuesday
3/24
3/31
Wednesday
3/25
4/01
Thursday
3/26
4/02
Friday
3/27
4/03
PARCC End of Year Assessment (EOY 2nd Round or state mandated testing)
April
Monday
04/27
NO Classes
9th Grade Testing
AM
ELA 9
PM
Math 1
Tuesday
04/28
NO Classes
10th and 11th Grade Testing
AM
ACT and ELA 10
PM
Math 2
Wednesday
04/29
NO Classes
11th Grade Testing
AM
ELA 11
PM
Math 3
IB tests start April 30th
Thursday
04/30
No School
No Student Contact Day
AP tests start May 4th
Friday
05/01
No School
No Student Contact Day