The Christie Administration today announced statewide PARCC assessment results, making good on its promise to provide parents and educators with a more accurate measurement of students’ progress on the path to success after high school.
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment, which replaced the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) and High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) in English language arts and mathematics, asks students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and skills by utilizing critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem solving.
“We promised parents an honest assessment regarding their children’s readiness to succeed in school and to graduate ready to meet the challenges of college or a career,” said Education Commissioner David C. Hespe. “PARCC delivers on that promise. For the first time in more than 30 years, we have a test that is designed to actually improve instruction in our schools.”
Setting a New Baseline, Focusing on the Future
The scores released today set a new baseline and cannot be compared to previous scores from now outdated exams that reflected different, lower-level knowledge and skills. Whenever a new test is introduced, there is a period of adjustment as teachers and students become acclimated to the new standards and assessments.
“This first year’s results show there is still much work to be done in ensuring all of our students are fully prepared for the 21stcentury demands of college and career,” said Commissioner Hespe.