Colorado Public School Test Scores Decline – testing transition likely to hurt scores even further
The recent release of the past year’s TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program) scores presented troubling results. TCAPS, a standardized test issued to public school students grades 3-10, display a student’s proficiency in math, english writing, and reading in all years, and certain grades engage in science and social studies assessments as well. For the past decade, the scores for all grades have essentially flatlined, though each year does show limited fluctuation in either direction. Maintaining this static test score does not give the schools the competitive edge they require to convince parents to enroll their students and keep the district functioning normally. Stability is disadvantageous for the school district, especially considering the upcoming change in test standards.
Rather than continue the TCAP system, Colorado school districts anticipate to replace the current assessment program with new PARCC (Partnerships for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests. Pennsylvania and Kentucky have already transitioned and are utilizing the PARCC system and about 20 states plan on joining Colorado in the change. If the flatline in TCAP scores is a problem, however, the change to the PARCC tests is likely to bring about even more bad news.
The PARCC tests follow the Common Core standards in most states many years ago. Those standards, however, have been accused of imposing unrealistic expectations on the students taking the test. All the variables suggest a common trend: student test scores will drop, and it is likely that the decline in scores will be significant. The decline in test scores will influence a student’s chance to take advanced courses, impact teacher evaluations, and cause shifts in student enrollment numbers. Only time will tell the impact the transition from TCAP to PARCC tests will have on the Colorado school system and its students.
Pictures: http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/parccmap
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/d38e8de9331b04351769a6c72818a663e8beabd1/c=2-0-939-704&r=x383&c=540×380/local/-/media/KUSA/KUSA/2014/08/14/1408044378000-another-graph.JPG
Links: http://gazette.com/ugly-trend-in-colorado-tcap-scores-education-officials-seek-meaningful-change/article/1535553
http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/08/29/parcc-tests/14753079/
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In this post, you mention that PARCC testing may impose unrealistic expectations on students. This makes sense to me, especially considering the difference between the TCAP test and the PARCC test. While the former tests a student’s proficiency, the latter tests for college and career preparedness. The PARCC may put more pressure on students as it implies that it is testing a much broader group of skills. I also think of the PSAT, a preliminary test that judges how a student will score on the SAT. These tests apply more directly to a student’s future success, and low score could greatly damage their morale.
I did a bit of research on how Pennsylvania stands on these tests, and found an article stating that PA plans to withdraw from both the PARCC and the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium). The latter is similar to the TCAP in Colorado in that it tests a student’s proficiency. According to a Washington Post article, Pennsylvania will use its own tests going forward. It seems that the cost of the test is one of the biggest factors in this decision. Another concern is that these tests do not truly represent a student’s depth of learning.
Sources:
http://www.smarterbalanced.org/
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/06/pennsylvania_signals_departure_from_test_consortia.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/states-reconsider-common-core-tests/2014/02/20/9e16efd4-8779-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html