Andrew Latham, Director of the federal Center on Standards &Assessment Implementation, offers timely guidance on implementing and understanding the PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments.

In this recently published  R&D Alert Online article, Latham discusses the benefits and challenges of the new assessments, how educators can interpret and communicate the results, and how WestEd is supporting states with implementation.

Briefly:

  • The Smarter Balanced and PARCC assessments aim to measure a deeper level of knowledge and thinking
  • Scores are likely to be different than previous assessments because the new tests measure proficiency in new ways
  • Districts should proactively communicate information about the new tests to the full range of stakeholders — including teachers, parents, students, school boards, and policymakers

Learn more from Latham, who also serves as Director of the Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Services (SAAS) program at WestEd.