Anonymous wrote:I received my child’s Parcc scores and have some questions which I think can be answered by my viewing her test and answers. (Basically, one score was particularly low and very different than how she performed in the class so I would like to get a sense as to whether she had trouble with the substantive material, or was rushed for time, or what drove this.) I understand the tests cannot be sent home (presumably to discourage cheating), but shouldn’t I be able to go into school or some central admin office to view it? I have asked twice at her middle school and been shut down and told that the school itself does not get anything other than the scores, and that I won’t be able to see the test because it is “confidential”. I think that is BS but I’m not sure who else in the school to ask - does anyone know who I can ask about this in MCPS?
On a related note, why should this be so difficult? If there is to be good use for the Parcc tests, we need to be able to see more than just the scores. I get why my child’s teachers aren’t going to do some personal analysis of her scores, but if I as a parent am willing, why am I being denied this? I am asking because I care about my child’s personal performance, but what if, for example, students at a particular school did not do well on a portion of the math assessment- wouldn’t it be in the school’s interest to know which portion of the math curriculum their students struggled with?
You have a right under FERPA to see your child's educational record and anything necessary to understand the educational record, which includes the test Qs, the administration directions, anything that indicates whether your child received accommodations, score guides, etc. This applies even though the test is "confidential" or "secure" although you may, in that instance, be required to come to a convenient location to view the test in a secure location and you may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to preserve test security.