PARCC or CCRAP?

By Evan Whatley
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PARCC will be taking place between April 26th, and June 7th, 2019. Students in English 10, and Algebra I and II will take the PARCC or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test. The PARCC is a standardized test from the Maryland State Board of Education in order to monitor teacher performances and student progression.

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PARCC will be taking place between April 26th, and June 7th, 2019. Students in English 10, and Algebra I and II will take the PARCC or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test. The PARCC is a standardized test from the Maryland State Board of Education in order to monitor teacher performances and student progression.


In order to graduate, tenth grade students must pass the English PARCC and students in Algebra I and freshman in Algebra II must complete the PARCC to show growth and advancement in knowledge. During the year,  English teachers work on narrative writing, critical thinking, and grammar skills to prepare their students for the PARCC. The PARCC test is a rigorous and strenuous test for many students. Preparation starts from the beginning of the year when students take a baseline test examining their knowledge in english skills. Teachers then take those skills and enhance them by working with their students to help them become better writers. However, writing is not the only part on the PARCC that is being tested. A students reading and ability to annotate and use context clues are a heavy part of the exam. “The PARCC exam is always a stressful time, I’m always so bad at finding what words mean and answering those questions” said Glenelg Sophomore, Chris Heller. The English PARCC is troublesome and tiresome for most students and teacher development is crucial for students to pass. Using context clues, reading, and writing are essential skills that people need to work and function in daily life activities.


The math PARCC will take place in June, where algebra students will complete the Algebra PARCC test. The Math PARCC is not a fan favorite and many students disapprove of taking the PARCC. The Math Algebra II PARCC is not a graduation requirement, but is important in tracking student progression. Whereas the Math Algebra I PARCC is a graduation requirement, “I am not excited for PARCC, I haven’t really studied but I heard it’s gonna be hard from my teacher” said Glenelg Freshman, Justin Maloney. The math PARCC like the English PARCC is very long and strenuous, but students have been prepared all year for the standardized testings. There has been recent news that the Algebra II PARCC will only be taken by freshman, so Sophomores in Algebra I will not have to take the test. This is said to be due from money shortage.