I work in this field and will mention a few things. It is not a frivolous "research study" - the intention is that PARCC will replace the MSA starting next year. But some data is needed to try out the test and make sure the questions work as intended. The reason they are not giving results is that the cut scores have not yet been set - data is needed to inform the process of determining what score is high enough for each level. So the intention is not to keep it a secret, it is just that the information does not yet exist.

I also work with issues related to FERPA and do not think that applies here. Likely the field test will be carried out in a way that does not tie your child's personally identifiable information to their test results. For the purpose of "testing the tests" they do not need to track information about who your child is.

Anonymous wrote:

MCPS would not tweak the tests. The test designers would tweak the tests.

I don't think this is true. PARCC has already been tested and adopted in other systems and states. MCPS isn't going to influence the test designers to reopen its design based on their findings. Its a nationwide test not a Maryland test like the MSA. The only thing MCPS could be testing with the sample group is whether their curriculum prepares students for the tests. The only thing they can tweak is test prep or what they teach.

Since MCPS has been crowing for years now that 2.0 is all about PARCC, they should be forthcoming with the results of the test. I hope a local newspaper or parent group files to make the data publicly available and hidden by MCPS as they try to find a spin on it.

This is comprehensively wrong. No other systems or states have adopted the PARCC tests yet, because the PARCC tests aren't ready yet. The PARCC tests are being tested right now -- nationwide. MCPS is part of this nationwide test of the PARCC tests.

PARCC says:

In spring 2014, the PARCC Field Test will be administered to over one million students across PARCC states. The PARCC Field Test represents a critical milestone in PARCC’s work toward building assessments for the 2014-15 school year and will give students and local educators the opportunity to experience the administration of PARCC assessments. The Field Test will be conducted in a random selection of schools across PARCC states. The sample of students in the selected schools will represent the demographics of each state and PARCC as a whole.

http://www.parcconline.org/field-test

MCPS would not tweak the tests. The test designers would tweak the tests.

I don't think this is true. PARCC has already been tested and adopted in other systems and states. MCPS isn't going to influence the test designers to reopen its design based on their findings. Its a nationwide test not a Maryland test like the MSA. The only thing MCPS could be testing with the sample group is whether their curriculum prepares students for the tests. The only thing they can tweak is test prep or what they teach.

Since MCPS has been crowing for years now that 2.0 is all about PARCC, they should be forthcoming with the results of the test. I hope a local newspaper or parent group files to make the data publicly available and hidden by MCPS as they try to find a spin on it.

Whole classes are being picked to take the test, its no voluntary.

Anonymous wrote:

The goal of the field test is to get a representative sample to see what tweaks need to be made for next year. I also think this is why they are not releasing scores, since it's in Beta mode.

What tweaks can MCPS possibly make? They don't influence PARCC its supposed to be a nation wide test.

MCPS has been constantly saying how 2.0 is aligned with common core. They have even started blaming common core to deflect some of the 2.0 backlash. If they are as confident about 2.0 as they say in every venue then they should share the scores and let the chips fall where they fall.

MCPS would not tweak the tests. The test designers would tweak the tests. What they are doing right now is field-testing the tests. This is a good thing.

And sure, they could release the scores. But what would the scores tell you?

Can someone force MCPS to disclose the overall scores through the freedom of information act like the Rockville parents did to revealed the failing math exams that had been be hidden?

The goal of the field test is to get a representative sample to see what tweaks need to be made for next year. I also think this is why they are not releasing scores, since it's in Beta mode.

What tweaks can MCPS possibly make? They don't influence PARCC its supposed to be a nation wide test.

MCPS has been constantly saying how 2.0 is aligned with common core. They have even started blaming common core to deflect some of the 2.0 backlash. If they are as confident about 2.0 as they say in every venue then they should share the scores and let the chips fall where they fall.

Anonymous wrote:I just got the letter stating my child is participating in the PARCC Field Test and that he will not receive any personal data from this test that take up 5 days of instructional time. What???

It's great that he is doing his part in improving public education in the great state of Maryland but why weren't parents given a choice to opt out of the Field test? What is the direct benefit for our child to participate in the Field Test? Other kids at the school will be taking the MSA's and their parents will get the yearly data. Totally upset with this decision by MCPS. My child is not their FREE source of testing data so they can develop a test that should be develop at an academic institution. My child did not volunteer to be part of this "Test" group.

Statistically, Maryland needs to have a uniform playing field on who takes the PARCC field test. If a school chooses only students who volunteer to take it, then the sample will be skewed to a group who likes being risk takers. The letter we got said the school would be choosing 1 class per grade to take the PARCC test in Reading and 1 class per grade for Math.

Logistically, since these kids won't be taking the MSA in that subject area, then the 2 days for the MSA will have instruction time as normal with their teacher and then won't have the instruction time on the PARCC days.

The goal of the field test is to get a representative sample to see what tweaks need to be made for next year. I also think this is why they are not releasing scores, since it's in Beta mode.

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't you be able to force the school to provide the results? There is a federal law that students have a right to see anything that constitutes an educational record. If MCPS is recording the score, its an educational record.

If they are anonymizing the participants then its a research study and wouldn't they be violating IRB type ethics in compelling someone to take part of the study? I would assume that you can refuse to allow your child to participate at the least.

I agree with this analysis. The federal law to which you refer is FERPA. A parent who writes a letter requesting access to a child's educational record (basically anything with their name attached to it) must be given access. Furthermore, you may also be entitled to see the PARCC test itself, scoring rubrics and/or test protocols in order to reasonably understand the meaning of the educational record. This is true even on "secure" tests,; however, you may be required to sign a non-disclosure form.

Shouldn't you be able to force the school to provide the results? There is a federal law that students have a right to see anything that constitutes an educational record. If MCPS is recording the score, its an educational record.

If they are anonymizing the participants then its a research study and wouldn't they be violating IRB type ethics in compelling someone to take part of the study? I would assume that you can refuse to allow your child to participate at the least.

I don't know why schools would bother with practice MSA testing this year.

At our school there is one class doing this. Principal said the parents would be notified specially if their children were participating.

That does seem odd that you can't get the results.

My kid is doing the MSA for the first time (3rd grade) what I find odd is that the practice test material is semi-challenging. I would say more difficult questions that any thing we have seen so far this year. Its not a problem for my kid since he's very advanced in math, but I find it interesting.

Are you sure it said your child would be participating. I just received a general letter saying some children would be participating.

What does the letter say, exactly?

I just got the letter stating my child is participating in the PARCC Field Test and that he will not receive any personal data from this test that take up 5 days of instructional time. What???

It's great that he is doing his part in improving public education in the great state of Maryland but why weren't parents given a choice to opt out of the Field test? What is the direct benefit for our child to participate in the Field Test? Other kids at the school will be taking the MSA's and their parents will get the yearly data. Totally upset with this decision by MCPS. My child is not their FREE source of testing data so they can develop a test that should be develop at an academic institution. My child did not volunteer to be part of this "Test" group.