PARCC CHS PARTICIPATION UP, BUT STILL BELOW OTHER SCHOOLS

At least 90% of students in South Orange Maplewood Schools took part in the controversial Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) tests last Spring, except for Columbia High School where just 55% were involved, according to data released at the last school board meeting.

But the CHS participation rate was a sharp increase over the previous year when just 33% of high school students took the optional state test.

Business Administrator Paul Roth released the information at the Sept. 19 meeting. 

See the data below:

The test has drawn objections from parents who contend it takes too much time from learning and is an unfair assessment of the students' abilities. There has been discussion of making it mandatory for high school graduation, while districts can also risk losing funding if they do not maintain a 90% participation rate. 

In April, the school district launched a marketing plan to increase participation rate in the coming years.