Mitchell Chester - NewBostonPost

Massachusetts

MCAS or PARCC? The choice is clear

Next month, education policy makers in Massachusetts will decide whether to keep the highly regarded Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) or adopt the controversial Common Core-aligned test, developed by the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). About half of Massachusetts public school students transitioned to

Massachusetts

Ed board urged to take time before deciding student assessment course

MALDEN, MASS. — On the eve of a potentially critical vote, educators, parents and elected officials pressed the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday to continue the conversation over student testing in a months-long debate, saying there's more to be considered. The board is on Tuesday is

MCAS

Reform based on pre-2011 MCAS draws support from Pioneer Institute

BOSTON – As Massachusetts education officials gear up to decide next month whether to adopt the national PARCC exam to assess academic achievement, the Boston-based Pioneer Institute on Tuesday released a study critical of PARCC that suggests creating a new set of state examinations based on the original MCAS exam. The

boston

Ed commissioner floats standardized testing compromise

MALDEN — As the state prepares to decide whether to adopt a new standardized test known as PARCC or stick with the existing MCAS exams, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester on Monday put forward a third option — a hybrid of the two tests. "I am considering this

Mitchell Chester

Baker: PARCC decision sits with ED board, not Chester

Written by Andy Metzger Citing his chairmanship of the board governing a new standardized testing system, a think tank has called for the Massachusetts education commissioner to recuse himself from the process of determining whether to adopt that new system.