Benefits of PARCC Tutoring at SLC

PARCC Tutor

PARCC testing is the reality faced by almost every student in New Jersey. Many of the students we prepare for PARCC at SLC do well in school, but need additional help to be successful on these complex, tech savvy tests.

At SLC, we first gain an understanding of students' individual needs for the PARCC by assessing their abilities. Each child is then paired with a certified, experienced teacher who specializes in tutoring for the PARCC test. Our teachers help students master specific content from the Common Core Standards and improve targeted skills in reading, writing, and math.

Students are also made familiar with the PARCC format: how to approach objective questions and how to maximize performance on open-ended questions requiring written responses and essays. Students improve keyboarding skills and learn to work with technology tools provided. They also practice taking sample PARCC tests under timed conditions to gain experience, stamina, and perseverance necessary to succeed.

Armed with the test taking strategies and skills reinforcement received at SLC, your child will approach the PARCC test with confidence and optimism and achieve optimal results!

PARCC Prep Approach at SLC

Math

For each grade level, students are taught fluency, conceptual understanding and the ability to construct well organized, logical written responses. They learn to use abstract reasoning, precision, and strategic use of tools to solve multi-step problems and to address real-world applications.

Reading

Students learn to analyze complex literary and informational text and to demonstrate full understanding of main ideas, details, and vocabulary. They improve their ability to draw logical inferences and to cite specific textual evidence to support their conclusions.

Writing

Students are taught to address the prompt and to produce clear and coherent writing that has a strong introduction, progression of ideas, and conclusion. They learn to provide an accurate analysis of ideas and to use clear reasoning that is supported by textual evidence. Students also need to show command of grammar and usage skills.

Technology

Students improve keyboarding skills and learn how to work with tech items such as "drag and drop", "multi select" (multiple correct answers among 5-8 options), "highlighting" (choosing the correct answer within the text excerpt), "rulers", "protractors", etc.

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2017 PARCC Test Dates

Grades 3-8

March 27 - May 19

Grades 9-11

March 27 - May 19

About the PARCC

Introduced in 2015, PARCC tests are based on the Common Core Standards and are administered entirely on a computer. PARCC consists of 3 sessions of English Language Arts and 3-4 sessions of Mathematics. Although schools have over a month in which to complete testing, most will complete all testing within one or two weeks. Total testing time ranges from 8.25 hours in 3rd grade to 9.7 hours in high school.

PARCC results are reported in five separate categories that run from Level 1, "not yet meeting expectations" to Level 5, "exceeding expectations". Each category has a scaled score, or a cut score, connected to it. The lowest PARCC score possible is 650, and the highest is 850. Levels 4 and 5 are considered passing scores.

In the past, NJ ASK scores were used by schools to help decide placement in advanced classes, and passing the HSPA was a requirement for high school graduation. Eventually, PARCC scores may be used the same way.

In addition, high school students that obtain Level 4 or 5 scores earn a "college and career readiness" (CCR) determination. These students will have direct entry into relevant credit bearing college courses without the need for remediation.

PARCC Tutoring

PARCC Format

English Language Arts

Grades 3-11

Unit 1 - Literary Analysis Task
Unit 2 - Research Simulation Task
Unit 3 - Narrative Task
Units are 1.25 to 1.83 hours long
For each unit, students read several texts, answer comprehension and vocabulary questions, and write an essay that draws evidence from the text.
Texts range from "accessible" to "very complex" and comprehension is measured through Evidence-Based Selected Responses and Technology Enhanced Constructed Responses.
Essays must demonstrate full understanding of the text, cite specific textual evidence to support conclusions drawn, and demonstrate knowledge of conventions in grammar and usage.
Results Include:
Overall Performance Score (from 650 to 850)
Reading Score with information on Literary text, Informational text, and Vocabulary
Writing Score with information on Writing Expression and Language Conventions

Mathematics

Grades 3-11*

Grades 3 to 5: 4 units, 4 hours total
Grades 6 and up: 3 units, 4.0-4.5 hours total
Calculator and non-calculator sections
Tasks are designed to assess concepts/skills/procedures, mathematical reasoning, and modeling/applications.
Format includes innovative, computer-based responses that are machine scored along with open-ended responses that are hand scored.
*Students taking Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II take the respective PARCC tests. A student taking Algebra I in 7th grade would take the Algebra I assessment that year. A student in 10th or 11th grade who completed Algebra II the prior year would no longer need to take PARCC math.
Results Include:
Overall Performance Score (from 650 to 850)
Additional Information at each grade level including Performance in Major Content, Supporting Content, Mathematical Reasoning, and Modeling and Application

How did NJ Students perform on the 2016 PARCC tests and how do these results compare to 2015?

In spring 2016, PARCC tests were administered for the second time in New Jersey. Here are highlights of how students across the state performed with a comparison of results from the first year of testing in 2015.

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