One of these aligned tests is not like the other

As the scores on new, tougher Common Core tests are revealed this year, it's likely that results of only one Common Core test will align closely with NAEP results, as much as supporters hope otherwise, reports Sarah Butrymowicz for The Hechinger Report. PAARC used the NAEP as a major resource for determining benchmarks for college and career readiness in high school. Smarter Balanced relied primarily on feedback from teachers and college faculty to determine what skills students at each grade level should demonstrate. "We thought it was important during standard-setting that this was about the Smarter Balanced assessment," said Jacqueline King, director of higher education collaboration for the consortium. "You want to look at that external data, but you don't want it to drive decision-making." In fact, one challenge that lies ahead for Smarter Balanced is helping people understand why scores won't mirror 2015 NAEP results, although King didn't say if she expects scores to be higher or lower than the national exam. PARCC will set cut scores for the 11th-grade test this summer using information from NAEP's 12th-grade exams. A score of 4 or 5 on PARCC will mean a student has a 75 percent chance of getting a C or higher in an entry-level, credit-bearing college course. More

Source:  Public Education News Blast

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