Skip to content
Banner Final

Malden High's Official Newspaper

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Local
    • New Staff Profiles
    • Top 10
  • Sports
    • Athlete Profiles
  • World
    • International
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Entertainment Opinions
    • Health Opinions
    • Local Opinions
    • Political Opinions
    • Sports Opinions
  • Print Archives
  • Home
  • 2014
  • April
  • The PARCC Exam Takes Strides
  • Homepage
  • Local

The PARCC Exam Takes Strides

Amanda De Moraes April 1, 2014

By EMMA CEPLINSKAS

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) has been around since 1993 and the students of Malden High School are no strangers to the exam. The test travels with students in their transitions from elementary school, to middle school, up to their sophomore year of high school. However, testers are willing to try something new because of the technological period students are growing up in.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MDESE) has considered replacing the MCAS with a different exam called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).

The PARCC exam is not only restricted to Massachusetts; it will also be administered in 16 other states, along with the District of Columbia. The exam aims to “measure the full range of the Common Core State Standards” and to pave a pathway towards college and career readiness as mentioned by the MDESE. The exam strives to not only advance accountability, but also support teachers and incorporate more technology.

Similar to the MCAS, the PARCC exam tests English and math skills. In contrast, the PARCC will be taken online to embrace the modern day’s technological advancements. The online assessment also offers greater innovation for students that a pencil and paper test limits.

Critics of the PARCC exam are worried that schools will not be properly adapt to the new method of testing. Supplying computers that have a guaranteed Internet connection to every student may be difficult, but the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education hopes to address the issues in the upcoming year. They want to “make better use of technology in assessments” to make a great change in the way children are tested.

Testers hope “these new K-12 assessments will build a pathway to college and career readiness at the end of high school, mark students’ progress toward this goal beginning in grade [three], and provide teachers with timely information to inform instruction and provide student support.”

The PARCC will be trialed during the school year of 2014 and 2015 and if it is equal to or surpasses the MCAS’ purpose of measuring math and English progression, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will contemplate issuing the PARCC rather than the MCAS. MHS students will have to ready for the new assessment.

Continue Reading

Previous: School Does Not Always End at 2:15
Next: School Committee Profile: Pietro Cicolini, Ward 1

Related Stories

Screenshot 2025-06-11 at 11.03.50 AM
  • Graduation
  • Homepage
  • Local

The Best Is Yet to Come: Celebrating the Class of 2025

Delina Yohannes June 11, 2025
  • Editorial
  • Homepage
  • Local Opinions

Why We Should Appreciate Public Journalism

Mack Keating June 11, 2025
IMG_7124
  • Homepage

Malden High School’s Prom Red Carpet 2025

Farris Qranfal June 11, 2025
Log in

The Blue and Gold: The Podcast Edition

Graduation Edition

COMBINED FINAL Graduation 2025 Malden Blue and GoldDownload

You may have missed

Screenshot 2025-06-11 at 11.03.50 AM
  • Graduation
  • Homepage
  • Local

The Best Is Yet to Come: Celebrating the Class of 2025

Delina Yohannes June 11, 2025
  • Editorial
  • Homepage
  • Local Opinions

Why We Should Appreciate Public Journalism

Mack Keating June 11, 2025
IMG_7124
  • Homepage

Malden High School’s Prom Red Carpet 2025

Farris Qranfal June 11, 2025
IMG_7749
  • Event
  • Local

CO’28 Hosts Schools Out Cookout

Jenayah Moreno June 11, 2025
Copyright © All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.