This document provides an overview and agenda for a parent education event about the PARCC assessment. The 3-sentence summary is: The document outlines an agenda to inform parents about the PARCC exam, which will replace the ISAT in assessing students' mastery of Common Core standards in math and English through computer-based testing. The PARCC aims to better measure college and career readiness by testing skills demanded outside of school, and the presentation covers what PARCC is, its goals, terminology, online resources, test preparation and managing testing anxiety.

1. Partnership for Assessment of
Readiness for College & Careers
Planning for PARCC
Parent Education Event Presented by Dunlap Elementary Counselors

2. • Overview of PARCC
• PARCC Terminology
• Online PARCC Resources & Tutorials
• Test Preparation & Testing Anxiety
Agenda/Topics to Be Covered

3. • Stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College & Careers
• Replacing ISAT
• PARCC is designed to assess Common Core Standards in Math and English
Language Arts (ELA)
• It is intended to better assess student’s knowledge
of skills most demanded by colleges and in careers.
• Computer based
• Taken twice a year (March & May)
– PBA=Performance Based Assessment
– EOY=End of Year
• Baseline data
What is PARCC?

4. 46 States + DC Have Adopted the
Common Core State Standards

5. Partnership for Assessment of Readiness
for College and Careers (PARCC)

6. 1. Create high-quality assessments
2. Build a pathway to college and career readiness for all students
3. Support educators in the classroom
4. Develop 21st century, technology-based assessments
5. Advance accountability at all levels
6. Build an assessment that is sustainable and affordable
Goals of PARCC

7. Higher Expectations
ELA/Literacy
Read sufficiently
complex texts
independently
Write effectively to
sources
Build and present
knowledge through
research
Math
Solve problems:
content and
mathematical practice
Reason
mathematically
Model real-world
problems
Have fluency with
mathematics
The PARCC assessment system will be aligned to the college- and career-ready,
Common Core State Standards, and is being designed to challenge students,
help identify when they’re not meeting the standards, and provide targeted
instruction, supports and interventions to help them succeed.

8. • Computer based testing will be a new experience for some
students
• Familiarize your student with some of the following key terms to
help them as they answer questions on PARCC
PARCC Terms

9. • Select: Student must use either his/her mouse cursor or finger (on a
touchscreen) to choose a specified item (or items), including
numbers, points, etc.
• Drag: Students must click down on, and hold, the specified item and
then “drag” the item to the correct location.
• Write: he or she must create an equation or expression in the answer
box using the given interactive tools (often a number pad and set of
operation symbols).
PARCC Terms

10. • Complete: Just like a “fill-in-the-blank” problem. Student must choose
or enter correct terms and operations.
• Create: Asks the student to utilize an on-screen tool (manipulative,
number/symbol bank) to make a specified shape, grid, area,
sequence, etc. in the answer box(es).
• Enter: Student must use their keyboard to “enter” a response into an
answer box.
• Show: Asks the students to use onscreen buttons or manipulatives to
“show” how they came to a result.
PARCC Terms

11. • Explain: Always refers to entering words into an answer box using
a keyboard.
• Show or Explain: Students will often be presented with the option
to “Show or Explain”, in which they can choose to either show
their findings via digits/operations or explain them via written
word.
• Plot: Student must plot a point (or multiple points) on a grid or
graph by clicking on the point with their mouse cursor.
PARCC Terms

12. • Practice using the technology to ease anxiety about the test.
– Visit: http://www.parcconline.org/for-parents
– Towards bottom of the page, under PARCC Field Test, click Sample Test
Questions
– Click Try the Sample Test Items
– This will open a new screen
– Click View Test Preparation
– Select Practice Test
– At this point you can choose Math or ELA and also grade level
– Most will choose Standard TestNav Version
• Note the Flag, Review, and Answer Eliminator options
• Tiny Scroll Bar on ELA
Practicing PARCC

13. • Blank paper
• Eliminate Answer Choice
• Flag items
• Highlight Tool
• Headphones (can bring own)
• Line Reader Tool
• Magnification
• Notepad
• Pop-up Glossary
Available Tools

14. • Make sure child gets a good night’s sleep (8-10 hours).
• Allow time in the morning for a good breakfast. Try not to be
rushed.
• Be on time.
• Make sure your child has taken any need medication.
• Ensure that your child is present during testing. Children tend to
do better when testing with their class, rather than testing at a
make-up time.
Preparing for the Test Day

15. • Do something relaxing the
night before the test.
• Spend some time talking
to your child about what
the test day might be like.
• Encourage your child to
stay focused on their test,
even if others finish early.
• Let your child wear
comfortable clothing.

16. • Be Positive -Expecting your child to do well will help them do
well. Encourage them to think positive thoughts.
• Give compliments -Such as “I’m proud of how hard you
studied!” Your compliments will help them find their positive self
talk!
• Face Fears -Its normal to be worried about tests. But if your child
seems too anxious, ask what they are afraid of? Help reassure
them.
Creating a Testing Attitude

17. • Test anxiety is the nervousness or apprehension a child feels
before, during, or after a test due to their fear of failing.
• Under stress, the body releases extra adrenaline. This affects the
body and the mind.
• Can cause a zone out effect which makes it difficult for the brain
to access information.
• Child is more likely to struggle with test anxiety if they constantly
strive for perfection or worry excessively.
• Some anxiety is normal.
Understanding Test Anxiety

18. • School avoidance
• Cries over seemingly insignificant issues in the days before the
test
• A change in eating/sleeping patterns
• Refuses to complete homework
• Appears distracted
• Negative self-statements
• Complains of an upset stomach
Warning Signs

19. Physical Emotional
Butterflies Cries Often
Cold/Clammy Hands Irritable
Feeling Hot/Cold Helpless
Rapid Heartbeat Anger
Nausea Desire to Flee
Lightheaded Frustrated
How Test Anxiety Feels

20. • Children experiencing test anxiety often have
negative beliefs about themselves/how they will
perform
• Parents should challenge their children’s thinking
• Replace negative thoughts with positive
affirmations
• Practice deep breathing with your child, lead by
example
Handling Anxiety

21. Use
Second
Step!

22. Questions