PARCC Assessments

PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) is a statewide assessment that debuted in spring 2015. The PARCC is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards and focuses on students’ mastery of key concepts as well as their critical thinking and writing. Students in grades 3-8 take the assessments in English language arts and math.

In response to feedback from school districts, the PARCC assessments administered in spring 2016 featured a shorter, simpler format than the first one as well as a single testing window to improve the testing process for students and educators.

Though the test structure changed, the PARCC assessments continue to test the full range of learning standards and provide valuable information about whether students are mastering the knowledge and skills they need to stay on track for success in college and/or their chosen career field. While no single assessment can give a complete picture of achievement, the PARCC exam provides more accurate data about how each child is performing against internationally benchmarked learning standards. This information helps teachers and parents determine whether a student requires remediation or more advanced instruction earlier in his or her schooling, ensuring that students graduate from high school ready for college and career.