Prohibits administration of assessments developed by Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.
Impact
The bill represents a significant shift in the way standardized testing is conducted in New Jersey by eliminating the PARCC assessments, which have faced criticism for being overly complicated and not reflective of student learning. This move is expected to impact the educational landscape, particularly regarding high school graduation requirements as it mandates the development of a new assessment program. The implementation of a new assessment program will require collaboration between educators, policymakers, and educational institutions, ensuring that the new standards meet the diverse needs of the state's student population.
Summary
Assembly Bill A3605 aims to prohibit the New Jersey Department of Education from administering the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments after the end of the 2015-2016 academic year. This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a new statewide assessment program that excludes PARCC assessments by the 2016-2017 school year. The intent behind A3605 is to transition towards an alternative assessment model that aligns better with state educational standards and local needs.
Contention
The discussion surrounding A3605 is likely to be contentious, given the various perspectives on standardized testing. Supporters of the bill argue that moving away from PARCC will alleviate the pressure on students and schools who have criticized the assessment for being functionally unsound and misaligned with classroom learning. In contrast, opponents may express concerns about the potential lack of rigor in the new assessment system, fearing that it may compromise educational standards and accountability. The ongoing debate reflects larger national issues regarding the effectiveness of standardized testing in education.
Prohibits the administration of assessments that contain a question proposed or developed by the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers consortium or any other federally funded consortium of states
Prohibits implementation of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments and provides for continuation of La. Educational Assessment Program tests (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Prohibits administration of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers assessments and provides for continuation of La. Educational Assessment Program tests and the standards on which such tests are based (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Prohibits administration of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers assessments and provides for continuation of La. Educational Assessment Program tests and the standards on which such tests are based (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)