LITTLE ROCK, AR — Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke Tuesday about his decision to force a change to the testing company used in Arkansas schools.
“Well my son said it’s stressful, and it makes him feel kind of restless,” parent Verna Thomas said of the PARCC test.
Thomas says she’d like to spend time this summer preparing, but not knowing what kind of test will be given makes it difficult.
“We don’t know what we’re going into this school year,” she said. “We’re going in blindfolded.”
Despite a 7-1 vote by the state board of education to keep the PARCC test for next year, Hutchinson on Monday directed education officials to sever ties with the company that administers it.
“My priority is that we have high standards,” Hutchinson said during a question and answer session with members of the Little Rock Rotary Club, adding that the use of PARCC tests nationwide is on the decline.
He wants to find a new testing method now that will last into the future.
“We are anxious to provide that stability in the classroom,” he said.
Hutchinson says he’s willing to go along with the board of education’s desire to take bids from companies seeking to become the new testing provider.
“I still think we can switch for next year,” he said. “It’s just a question of getting the board together to make a decision.”
Hutchinson says he realizes continuing to change testing is stressful for teachers.
“It’s stressful for the parents too because then we have to practice with [students] at home.” Thomas said.
The makeup of the board of education will be changing. Three board members are either done with their terms or stepping down by the end of the month.
The governor said Monday he hopes to have new board members appointed by the next meeting July 9th.
“Well my son said it’s stressful, and it makes him feel kind of restless,” parent Verna Thomas said of the PARCC test.
Thomas says she’d like to spend time this summer preparing, but not knowing what kind of test will be given makes it difficult.
“We don’t know what we’re going into this school year,” she said. “We’re going in blindfolded.”
Despite a 7-1 vote by the state board of education to keep the PARCC test for next year, Hutchinson on Monday directed education officials to sever ties with the company that administers it.
“My priority is that we have high standards,” Hutchinson said during a question and answer session with members of the Little Rock Rotary Club, adding that the use of PARCC tests nationwide is on the decline.
He wants to find a new testing method now that will last into the future.
“We are anxious to provide that stability in the classroom,” he said.
Hutchinson says he’s willing to go along with the board of education’s desire to take bids from companies seeking to become the new testing provider.
“I still think we can switch for next year,” he said. “It’s just a question of getting the board together to make a decision.”
Hutchinson says he realizes continuing to change testing is stressful for teachers.
“It’s stressful for the parents too because then we have to practice with [students] at home.” Thomas said.
The makeup of the board of education will be changing. Three board members are either done with their terms or stepping down by the end of the month.
The governor said Monday he hopes to have new board members appointed by the next meeting July 9th.