Which Test Has the Toughest College-Ready Standards?

Edweek by Debra Viadero, Catherine Gewertz   UPDATED The PARCC assessments are generally tougher than the Smarter Balanced tests, ACT Aspire, and the other tests states are using, according to an analysis released Monday. For his study, author Gary Phillips, a vice president and fellow at the American Institutes for Research, examined the achievement levels, or […]

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The New SAT: Common Core Sealant

(Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ) by Robert Holland   National Common Core-aligned standardized tests for elementary and secondary schools are in the midst of a death spiral, despite the $360 million the Obama administration spent on the creation of the two consortia, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Smarter Balanced, five years […]

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Character Takes Center Stage In College Admissions Plan

The days of high school students scrambling to pad college admission applications with forced volunteer hours and inflated academic achievements may soon come to an end. A new report formulated by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and signed off on by admissions representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities across the country recommends deemphasizing personal […]

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What You Need To Know About PSAT/NMSQT Scores, Percentiles, And College Readiness Benchmarks

(Forbes) by Cyndie Schmeiser, Chief Assessment Officer, The College Board. Over three years ago, the College Board embarked on the process of redesigning the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 8/9. The new exams are focused on what research tells us students need to know to be ready for college and career, and they better reflect what […]

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The Problem With Elite-College Admissions

(Jonathan R. Cole, The Atlantic) March madness is almost here. No, I’m not referring to the college-basketball playoffs; I’m alluding to the anxious waiting of young people and their families of word about their fate from the highly selective colleges of America. And I’m talking as well about those who are about to venture forth on […]

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