District 157-C releases PARCC scores to parents

Last Spring, Illinois students in grades three to eight participated in the new state assessment called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC.) The PARCC assessment measures the Illinois Learning Standards and replaces the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT.) The PARCC assessment marks a significant change from the previous assessments and the first year results will serve as a new baseline.

Frankfort School District 157-C students in grades three to eight were tested in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. In every grade in the district, the students performed above the state average. It should be noted that District 157-C administered the test online and it was the first time its students experienced this type of testing format. The students found the new format to be engaging, yet challenging.

The PARCC tests measure whether students are meeting new, higher academic standards and mastering the knowledge and skills they need to progress in their K-12 education and beyond. This test included more complex skills like critical-thinking, persuasive writing and problem-solving, skills that were not measured on the previous ISAT assessment. The new test also marks a change in the way student performance is reported. The ISAT was measured on four levels with two considered proficient and two not. The PARCC scores show how each child performed on each portion of the test. It also reveals their overall scores which fall into one of five performance levels. Those at levels 1 and 2, and some at level 3, need greater supports to understand content while levels 4 and 5 have shown a thorough understanding of grade-level content.

District 157-C Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni stated, “Scores may look different and lower on this new test. That does not mean students are learning less, it means the tests have changed and are asking students to meet a higher bar. The district will be using the report information to plan for instruction and support student learning. Our administrators and teachers will work with those children needing additional supports to understand content. Parents can use this information to understand their child’s needs and strengths to work in tandem with the teachers and school to support their child at home.”

As administrators and teachers analyze the PARCC results, they will be looking for important information to help them guide instructional decisions while being cautious about an over-reliance on just one test. The information that is gathered from the TerraNova test, District 157-C’s local assessment, and day-to-day classroom performance, in addition to the PARCC results, provide a balanced view of teaching and learning in District 157-C.

Dr. Zinni continued, “As a final thought, I want our parents to know that our students and teachers take testing seriously, but we also believe there is much more than a test score that defines our students. We are proud of the fact that our children display character traits every day that could never be measured on a standardized assessment, yet we know are so important to their development and life-long success. These are things like perseverance when met with a challenge, displays of compassion when a classmate is struggling, expressions of creativity and innovation that demonstrate diverse thinking, going the extra mile when no one is watching, and standing up for causes that just might change the world for the better. Therefore, please join me in celebrating your child’s growth and continued development into a well-rounded student.”

Parents were advised to contact their child’s teacher regarding specific questions about their PARCC reports. District 157-C will host a special workshop for parents and guardians on Tuesday, January 12 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Grand Prairie Elementary School, 10480 West Nebraska Street. The workshop is intended to help parents understand their child’s assessment reports from TerraNova and PARCC along with some strategies to use at home. Parents are encouraged to bring along their child’s reports to refer to during the workshop. District and school report cards that contain a summary of performance for all District 157-C students can be viewed at the District’s website, www.fsd157c.org.