With the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test window opening on April 18^th and closing on May 31^st, many teachers are beginning to prepare their students. These computer-based assessments, introduced in the spring of 2015, are Maryland’s new accountability program and are designed to measure college and career readiness. Beginning in third grade, students in elementary, middle, and high school will take both Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) sections of the PARCC. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will involve parents in these preparations by hosting four parent nights in the upcoming weeks.

Each event will feature an address from a representative of the Maryland State Department of Education. PGCPS staff will explain the PARCC assessment, the student score reports, and current preparations happening in classrooms. This information will be followed by breakout sessions including topics pertaining to parents of Pre-K through high schools students as well as English Language Leaners and special education students.

Registration in advance is strongly encouraged. Parents may register here. (Language interpretation services will be provided in Spanish but registration is required for ASL or any other language.)

Locations and dates are as follows:

Wednesday, February 24^th from 6 to 9 pm at High Point High School (3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville)

Tuesday, March 8^th from 6 to 9 pm at Oxon Hill High School (6701 Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill)

Monday, March 21^st from 6 to 9 pm at Charles Herbert Flower High School (10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale)

Wednesday, April 6^th from 6 to 9 pm at Laurel High School (8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel)

The press release in its entirety is available here. Access the flyer here.