THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS ANNOUNCING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TEST. 

THE ILLINOIS ASSESSMENT OF READINESS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE “PARCC” TEST IS GIVEN TO STUDENTS IN THIRD THROUGH EIGHTH GRADES IN MARCH, FOCUSING ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH. THE CHANGES FOR THE UPCOMING TEST WILL BE SUBTLE SAYS ACTING CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER RALPH GRIMM.

THE BOARD'S RAE CLEMENTZ SAYS IT WILL BE A LITTLE SHORTER THIS YEAR…WITH MORE CHANGES TO COME. THAT INCLUDES MOVING TO A COMPUTER-ADAPTIVE DESIGN IN 2021.

OTHER FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE QUICKER RESULTS AND MAKING SURE ALL SCHOOLS CAN GIVE THE TEST ONLINE. IT'S GIVEN TO THRID THROUGH EIGHTH GRADERS EACH MARCH.