At the Moorestown Board of Education meeting, the room was filled with parents, educators and citizens who were there to hear about the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test. There has been some controversy over the test since it was decided by the state that this would be the new standardized assessment for New Jersey, replacing the NJ ASK and HSPA.
A presentation was made by Carole Butler, director of curriculum and instruction, and Kat D’Ambra, director of guidance services, on PARCC, explaining many things about the test such as what it is, the expectations and testing schedule. However, the big question of the night wasn’t on the test itself, but was on what to do for students who refused to take the test, or opted out.
New Jersey has a no-opt-out policy for the test, but students are able to refuse to take it. However, for students who choose that option, what is left for students to do, some parents fear, is nothing but sit and stare.
“We want them to be recognized refusals from either the student or the parent and also provide an appropriate alternative educational experience not within the testing center with the other students,” said Jack Fairchild, a parent and leader of Moorestown’s “No More Common Core” Facebook group, who spoke up at the meeting, voicing some parents’ concerns.
He feels the biggest issue is students who refuse to test will be disruptive to those who are taking the test. He is requesting that students be provided with an alternative placement and be allowed to read or do enrichment work.
“It is miserable for any student to sit in one place for a long period of time and not be able to do anything,” Fairchild said.
He and some other parents requested the board provide a written response by Feb. 1 acknowledging refusals and what the policy will be with students who have refused.
Superintendent Timothy Rehm did not confirm nor deny that the school would have a sit and stare policy. He said they are still waiting for guidance from the state. However, he did assure parents that no child who requested a refusal would be put in an uncomfortable situation.
“I do assure you that no child in Moorestown will feel uncomfortable or feel in any way punished. No child will ever feel that he or she is being punished because an adult decision was made to refuse to test,” Rehm said.
Fairchild also voiced his opinion against the PARCC test itself. He felt it was “too much” and “extremely expensive.” There are 10 testing days for the PARCC, not counting the preparation days. Also, not only would the state have to pay for each individual child to test, but to accommodate the PARCC test, which is an online exam, the school had to do some updating, according Fairchild.
“It’s 10 days of testing on a 180-day school calendar year. That is a large percentage,” Fairchild said.
However, not all parents were opposed. Sandra Alberti, a mother and former administrator and superintendent who worked for the Department of Education, was excited for her children to take the test. She felt the PARCC test will be the first time to show how well students are taught.
“I believe strongly, professionally, personally and as a mother, that this is the very first time that I can’t wait to see the results of my daughters’ test because I believe this will be the first time they are being given an assessment that is actually worthy of the instructional time that we are taking to plan it and to administer it,” Alberti said.
Alberti also commended the board for having this meeting and other presentations. She felt there was a lot of misinformation about the PARCC test. She said she appreciated the time the administration was taking to give truthful information.
The presentation given at the board meeting will be put up on the district website within the next few weeks at www.mtps.com. To learn more about PARCC and to take a sample test, visit www.parcconline.org.
