As you know, the Marlboro K-8 District is mandated by the State of NJ to follow the Common Core Curriculum, and as a result, to administer the PARCC Standardized Test. Yet, beyond this requirement, Marlboro K-8 Schools have adopted and have been administering District Assessment Tests that are NOT STATE MANDATED, and are given each marking period.

District Assessment Tests (CA, CPT, Unit Assessments):

A. Take away crucial instructional time. These tests are so long at times, and can take up to 3 days for one subject.

B. Increased pacing with little regard to students mastering concepts. Teachers must follow "pacing guides" for District Tests so content sometimes has not even been covered.

C. An entire year is geared towards PARCC with constant testing and test prep. Frequent testing to teach is adding unecessary pressure on our kids who already have an accelerated and challenging curriculum.

D. District Test scores count as a test grade even though there is no test calibration or validation.

E. Tests are not given back to students/parents once scored so the children are not able to learn from their mistakes.

We, the parents of students in the Marlboro K-8 School District believe that the District's current policy of District Assessment Tests is wrong, and against the educational needs of the children in our district.

WE HEREBY URGE THE MARLBORO K-8 DISTRICT TO:

1. Eliminate DISTRICT TESTS until such time as proper research and study can be completed regarding the need for these tests, and to ensure that these tests are adequately callibrated and validated; OR THE ALTERNATIVE - 

2. Scale down significantly on the amount and extent of district testing in each grade; and

3. MODIFY the Pacing Guides which are resulting in students not adequately learning necessary curriculum DUE TO THE NECESSITY OF MEETING DISTRICT TEST DATES WHICH DO NOT ALLOW TEACHERS THE TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE CRITERIA FOR THE TEST; and

4. Prevent the District from including District Assessment Scores in children's report card grades UNTIL THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING WITH CURRICULUM, TEACHERS AND PARENTS AS TO THE VALIDATION OF THESE TESTS