MARYSVILLE – Common Core is here, and a small gathering of parents at a meeting March 31 are none too impressed.
Complaints included:
•Too much pre-testing, not enough time learning.
•Not enough pre-testing, students were caught off-guard.
•Not enough accommodations for special education students
•Not enough time spent on how to use the computer to take the test; it was confusing.
•Not enough computers to practice on.
•Will my student flunk a grade if they don’t pass the assessment?
•Why are juniors taking it and not sophomores like before?
•Why wasn’t the process started earlier because we knew it was coming?
Marysville School District director Jack Monpas-Huber explained Common Core expectations and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to the parents.
The assessments replace the High School and Middle School Proficiency Exams, also known as the HSPE and the MSP. The SBAC is for English and math for grades 3-8 and 11 starting this year. The SBAC measures critical thinking, research, writing and problem-solving skills.
The same assessment is being used in 18 other states. Costs are shared, saving $6 million a year. With everyone taking the same test, it’s easier to compare how well students are doing in different schools, districts and states, so they can see where they need to improve.
With the same test, colleges can evaluate students better, helping with course placement. Other advantages include: helping teachers better see how students are doing in certain areas; individual scores are available within three weeks; and more support is available for students with special needs.
Monpas-Huber said prior to this, states had different learning standards. This gives students all the same measuring sticks. “Students should have clear goals,” he said.
Monpas-Huber said with Common Core students must know certain information before they move on. Local districts still design the curriculum to reach the end results.
He said the SBAC is really two tests. The computer-adaptive test takes 1 1/2 hours. Questions change depending on the answer selected. The other test involves reading information, taking notes, doing research, then writing an article, essay or opinion – all in 30 minutes.
Monpas-Huber said the assessment answers the question: “What are the thinking skills needed in the 21st century?”
He said students need to take practice tests so “The SBAC isn’t some scary thing at the end of the year.”
Monpas-Huber admitted, “We’ve got work to do” to help students through this process.
He said if a student scores below standard, it’s a red flag that they need help. If they score high, that means they could take a more challenging course.
“There are consequences if we assess, and if we do not assess,” he said.
