SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee has to decide what test students will take this spring.
Superintendent John Barry said althougth the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved the creation of a new test that combines the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
PARCC, it is allowing school departments to decide if students will take the current MCAS or PARCC this spring.
“I have not made up my mind yet,” Barry told the Committee about his recommendation.
Barry said MCAS has been the standard, however, because the new test – called MCAS 2.0 until DESE creates it – will include much of the PARCC test, the choice is not clear.
“If we give the PARCC test though, we have to give more than one because MCAS is still the relevant test for grades 10 and five through eight,” Barry said.
Committee member Pamela Petschke asked if the intent by the state is to get every district using PARCC.
“Where is the state going with this.” she said. “Why have two options, and why are they going with a PARCC-like MCAS?”
Barry said DESE is giving an option one last time.
“This is the last year we will have a choice,” he said. “Everyone will take the revised MCAS in 2017.”
