State Board Of Education Votes Against ACT, PARCC Remains As Assessment

Sarah Whites-Koditschek with our content partner, KUAR FM 89.1 News, reports:

The Arkansas State Board of Education voted 7-1 Thursday against allowing a state contract with the ACT and in favor of keeping the Common Core standards tied PARCC test it implemented this year.

Earlier this week, Education Commissioner Johnny Key told lawmakers he planned to ask the state board to terminate its contract with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, the end-of-the-year test associated with the Common Core State Standards, and instead pursue entering a contract with ACT and ACT Aspire for the 2015-16 school year.

State Education Board member Jay Barth said frequently changing tests makes it difficult to assess districts in distress.

“We knew it was going to be complicated with one transition in assessments. How can a board truly make a decision that is non-arbitrary when there have been that many alterations in assessments?” asked Barth.

Deborah Jones with the Arkansas Department of Education told the board the ACT would be a good assessment to use with Common Core.

“We have to make a decision and we have to be consistent for a number of years, if you do anything. And by years, seven years, let’s get a good quality assessment and let’s stick with that for a period of time,” said Jones.

“As far as setting cut scores and determining school status, that can be done with the assessment. But we have to determine the assessment we want to give and not debate back and forth about it,” she added.

Other board members expressed concern that Common Core math and other subject areas are not adequately aligned with the ACT. Earlier this week, Governor Asa Hutchinson called for switching to the ACT following recommendations of a Common Core task force.

State Board member Vicki Saviers said the assessment vetting process had been rushed.

“You guys, you’ve got assessment folks who are very qualified at the department… It’s a concern for me because at any moment, anyone might decide we need to change assessments for whatever reason and truthfully it feels a little political,” said Saviers.

Board members Diane Zook questioned Education Commissioner Johnny Key about eliminating PARCC.

Zook: “But it didn’t pass, right? The legislature, to end PARCC?”

Key: To end PARCC did not, it was amended to have it on a year by year basis.

Zook: But it didn’t pass, from 100 representatives who represent all the people in the state, right?

Key: But the ACT, act 189, did pass.

Zook: Added to a list to be considered.

Key: That was the only one by name, yes ma’am.

Zook: Right.

Other board members expressed concern about pursuing a contract with ACT on such a short timeframe without undergoing a more standard bidding process with competing assessment providers.

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UPDATE: Gov. Asa Hutchinson offered comments on the state board’s decision late on Thursday.

“I’m disappointed the state Board of Education rejected the recommendation for student assessment for the next school year. The recommendation was based on the conclusions reached by the Common Core Review Council, a 16 member council made up of teachers, administrators, business leaders and students from all over the state.

“The legislature had directed through Act 1074 that the current PARCC contract not be renewed long term and for the State Board to consider a change for the 2016-17 school year. I determined it best to make the change for the next school year for the sake of long-term stability for the teachers, school districts and for the sake of our students.

“In the coming days, I will work closely with Commissioner Key and the Board to determine the best guidance we can provide our students, teachers and administrators as to the next steps in student assessments.”