PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments: Empowering Grade 12 Students in the Common Core Era

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) ELA Literacy Assessments are designed to measure students' proficiency in the critical skills of English Language Arts (ELA) as outlined by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Specifically, the Grade 12 PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments target students' abilities in Reading, Writing, and Language. This article provides a comprehensive overview of these assessments, exploring their purpose, structure, content, and implications for instruction and assessment practices in Grade 12 classrooms.

Purpose of the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments

The primary purpose of the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments is to provide educators, students, and stakeholders with a comprehensive evaluation of students' progress towards college and career readiness. The assessments are designed to assess students' understanding and application of the CCSS in ELA, ensuring that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in post-secondary education and the workforce.

Common Core: PARCC ELA/Literacy Assessments, Grades 9-12 (Common Core State Standards)

by Dennis Fare

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Structure of the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments

The PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments for Grade 12 consist of two main components:

• Performance-Based Assessment (PBA): The PBA requires students to engage in extended writing and research tasks, demonstrating their ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information from complex texts.
• End-of-Year Assessment (EOYA): The EOYA is a computer-based assessment consisting of multiple-choice and constructed-response questions that measure students' proficiency in Reading, Writing, and Language.

Content of the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments

The PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments cover a wide range of ELA standards, organized into the following domains:

Reading

• Key Ideas and Details
• Craft and Structure
• Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Writing

• Text Types and Purposes
• Production and Distribution of Writing
• Research to Build and Present Knowledge

Language

• Conventions of Standard English
• Knowledge of Language
• Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

Implications for Instruction and Assessment Practices

The PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments have significant implications for instruction and assessment practices in Grade 12 ELA classrooms. To effectively prepare students for these assessments, educators should:

1. Align instruction with the CCSS: Ensure that the curriculum and instructional activities align with the content and skills covered in the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments.
2. Incorporate performance-based assessments: Provide students with opportunities to engage in extended writing and research tasks that mirror the PBA component of the PARCC assessments.
3. Use data to inform instruction: Analyze PARCC assessment results to identify areas of strength and weakness, and adjust instruction accordingly to target students' needs.
4. Encourage critical thinking and analysis: Foster students' ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information from complex texts, as required in the PARCC assessments.
5. Promote collaborative learning: Create opportunities for students to work together in groups to build their understanding of ELA concepts and develop their communication and collaboration skills.

The PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments for Grade 12 are a valuable tool for educators, students, and stakeholders to assess students' progress towards college and career readiness. By understanding the purpose, structure, content, and implications of these assessments, educators can effectively prepare their students for success on the PARCC assessments and beyond. Ultimately, the PARCC ELA Literacy Assessments provide a roadmap for improving ELA instruction and empowering Grade 12 students with the critical thinking, literacy, and communication skills essential for success in the 21st century.

Additional Resources

• PARCC website: https://parcc.pearson.com/
• Common Core State Standards website: https://www.corestandards.org/
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) website: https://www.ncte.org/

Common Core: PARCC ELA/Literacy Assessments, Grades 9-12 (Common Core State Standards)

by Dennis Fare

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4915 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	543 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE