PARCC

	Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
	For more information on the PARCC consortia visit: http://www.parcconline.org

In compliance with legislation, Colorado joined the PARCC consortia as a governing member in August, 2012. PARCC is a multi-state assessment consortium that is developing shared English language arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments. Over 20 states participate in the consortium. As a governing member, Colorado is committed to relying on the PARCC assessment system. PARCC has ELA assessments in grades 3-11 and mathematics assessments in grades 3-8 with three high school assessments. PARCC has developed college and career ready determinations that will be based on the assessments given in 11th grade.

It is anticipated that the PARCC ELA and mathematics assessments will replace the TCAP reading, writing and mathematics assessments in the spring of 2015.

Information about Estimated Testing Times

PARCC estimates that students will spend the approximate lengths of time below to complete all the sessions, or timed components, of the PARCC performance-based and end-of-year assessments in ELA/literacy and math:

8 hours annually in 3rd grade

Just over 9 hours in grades 4–5

A little less than 9 ½ hours in middle school

A little more than 9 ½ hours in high school

These times refer to on-task time, or the time it will take most students to complete the PARCC summative tests in both content areas. While it is anticipated that most students will complete the tests within these estimated times, schools will be asked to schedule a limited amount of additional time to ensure that students who work at slower rates can complete the assessments. Schools also will continue to make special accommodations for children with disabilities who have specific requirements and arrangements established.

Estimated Time on Task by Grade and Session (pdf)

Estimated PARCC and Current State Testing Time (pdf)

Sample Items and Tasks

PARCC has sample assessment items and tasks available online, providing educators, parents, and students an initial look at the types of items that will appear on next-generation assessments. These prototypes maybe a useful resource for students, parents and educators as they transition to the Colorado Academic Standards and prepare for next-generation assessments. They are not intended to be used as practice tests and do not provide a comprehensive picture of how the completed assessments will look. PARCC will continue to release additional prototypes and rubrics to provide a more complete picture of the PARCC assessment design in each content area and grade level.

To view the item and task prototypes, visit http://www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes

PARCC Technology Guidelines

PARCC has issued guidance designed to inform schools and districts as they make annual instructional technology purchases. The guidelines include hardware and operating system specifications covering the vast majority of commercially available computers and tablets.

To view the PARCC Technology Guidelines, visit http://www.parcconline.org/technology
PARCC Technology Guidelines FAQs

Information from PARCC

PARCC Releases Tool to Prepare Schools and Districts for Rigorous 21st Century Assessment