Gov-elect Murphy: New Jersey will stop using PARCC tests

Governor-elect Phil Murphy wants to end the use of the standardized Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers or PARCC test in New Jersey.

New Jersey started using PARCC assessments to measure student skills in the 2014-15 school year. Critics have said the tests force teachers to narrow their teaching to what is on the assessments.

At an elementary school in Asbury Park where he announced that Asbury Park School District Superintendent Lamont Repollet will lead the state education department, Murphy said it’s time to scrap those tests.

“We are asking Dr. Repollet to end the failed experiment that has been PARCC testing and create new, more effective and less class time-intrusive means for measuring student assessment,” Murphy said.

New Jersey Education Association President Marie Blistan said educators, parents, and students have raised concerns about the PARCC test.

“I definitely think that the entire testing system needs to be reviewed, and, absolutely, I question whether the PARCC test is the appropriate test to use in any way, shape, or form here,” she said.

During his campaign, Murphy said shorter tests should be developed with teacher input that would provide real-time feedback to teachers and students.