Common Core PARCC tests for fourth grade math

[Anonymous]

Here is a sample test of what will be expected of 4th grade students in math, in a few months,

http://parcc.pearson.com/resources/Practice_Tests/Grade_4/Math/PC194818-001_4MTHTB_PT.pdf

Some samples:


"A team runs a race. There are 4 people on the team. Each person runs the same distance. The team runs a total of 5280 feet."

Students need to solve the question (not multiple choice) and aren't allowed to use a calculator.

This seems like a pretty sensible question for fourth grade.

Can someone who thinks Common Core is developmentally inappropriate look through this test, and tell me which questions seem problematic to you?

Personally I like that so many students in 4th grade will be taking the same, sensible test -- kids in MD and MA and NY etc. We will be able to compare results across different states -- that's really what the point of having COMMON standards was.

[Anonymous]

I teach 4th grade and I think it is very representative of the mcps curriculum. I am surprised that there was no writing- but maybe that is in a different part.

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen anyone claim that all standards are inappropriate. Of course, that is an okay question.

[Anonymous]

Personally I like that so many students in 4th grade will be taking the same, sensible test -- kids in MD and MA and NY etc. We will be able to compare results across different states -- that's really what the point of having COMMON standards was.

Why? How does that help the kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't seen anyone claim that all standards are inappropriate. Of course, that is an okay question.

I have, right here on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Personally I like that so many students in 4th grade will be taking the same, sensible test -- kids in MD and MA and NY etc. We will be able to compare results across different states -- that's really what the point of having COMMON standards was.

Why? How does that help the kids?

It helps the kids by providing good information to the people who make decisions about education. You can't make good decisions without good information.

[Anonymous]

19:28,

That's an interesting statement considering that Common Core developers are not releasing the data and study results from the development of the standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:28,

That's an interesting statement considering that Common Core developers are not releasing the data and study results from the development of the standards.

I honestly don't understand this obsession with the development of the standards. That is water under the bridge. It is 2015. The standards are here. If the Common Core developers told you every little last bit of absolutely everything you want to know, how would that change anything?

[Anonymous]

I honestly don't understand this obsession with the development of the standards. That is water under the bridge. It is 2015. The standards are here. If the Common Core developers told you every little last bit of absolutely everything you want to know, how would that change anything?

So, you just accept that they are good based on the fact that CC website tells you they are? Wow. Great critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

Standards are one issue. Implemention of standards in MCPS is another issue. PARCC exam and comparing students scores across the USA annually is a another issue. All issues have pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I honestly don't understand this obsession with the development of the standards. That is water under the bridge. It is 2015. The standards are here. If the Common Core developers told you every little last bit of absolutely everything you want to know, how would that change anything?

So, you just accept that they are good based on the fact that CC website tells you they are? Wow. Great critical thinking.

No, that's not what I said. Please re-read.

[Anonymous]

"It helps students by providing good information to the people who make decisions about education. You can't make good decisions without good information."

So, let's say you find out that the students in Iowa are doing better than the students in Alabama based on these tests. What good decision might be made by the people who make decisions about education based on that good information?

[Anonymous]

So, let's say you find out that the students in Iowa are doing better than the students in Alabama based on these tests. What good decision might be made by the people who make decisions about education based on that good information?

change it up a little:


So, let's say you find out that the students in MCPS are doing better than the students in DC based on these tests. What good decision might be made by the people who make decisions about education based on that good information?

[Anonymous]

This is an OK 4th grade question -- but many kids will struggle with it because it's presented as a word problem and not a straight equation. I would bet that not more than half of the kids get it right.

The problem with these tests is that they are not diagnostic, they are only punitive. They don't tell the teachers, kids or parents where EXACTLY the child is weak.

Unlike tests I took 40 years ago, which pinpointed weaknesses so the tests could actually be helpful and informative.

[Anonymous]

How about this change it up. An individual student can compare themselves to students in MCPS, DC, and Iowa starting in 3rd grade and annually ...don't have to be surprised in high school at the SAT.