For the first time, Illinois,  along with 11 other states and the District of Columbia, are administering the Partnership Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test. In Illinois, students in third through eighth grade are required to take this test, as well as high school students enrolled in junior English, Algebra 2 or both classes.

According to Kris Frandson, associate principal for curriculum and instruction, the PARCC test is an assessment set incorporating mathematics and English language arts.

The purpose of the PARCC test is to measure knowledge and skill sets, and asses students’ abilities to critically think, Frandson said.

She also said the PARCC test is split into two assessments that are completed at different times. In March, students take the Performance Based Assessment (PBA), which consists of three tests for English and two tests for math. In May, students take the End of Year Assessment (EOY) which consists of two tests for English and two tests for math.

According to Frandson, testing will occur in two gyms. Each individual test is scheduled to last one block.

James W. Pellegrino, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the PARRC, said that the PARCC test results can be used to judge whether or not students and schools are meeting established performance benchmarks for student proficiency. He also said they may be used for judging the accountability of teachers and schools.

Frandson said that since testing occurs online, both high schools are working to ensure that Chromebooks will work with the assessment site. During the test, students will only be able to access this site.

Frandson said Glenbrook North would not be able to participate in ISHA activities including sports, drama, debate, speech or any fine arts competition if the school chose to opt out of the PARCC test.

English teacher Lorena Sue Huguelet said her reaction to learning students would have to take the PARCC test was the same for any other standardized test.

“I have the same ideas about this standardized test as I would about any standardized test, which is that it’s [a one-time] measurement of that student’s ability to answer those questions on that day,” said Huguelet. “It may provide a useful measure of [his or her educational] ability, but there are a lot of variables that go into a student’s test score that are not accounted for by the test.”