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With the upcoming PARCC Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) and End-of-Year Assessment (EOY) slated for the spring of 2015, parents and teachers alike can benefit from the resources that are available to help students feel more comfortable with the test format and questions they are likely to encounter. This week, I’ve complied a list of seven resources, and links may be helpful for you, your child and/or student(s): • PARCC practice questions. From the makers of the test itself, PARCC’s website now offers test-type questions for teachers, parents, and students to examine and practice. Click on www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes to view not only the types of questions your child may encounter but also the format of the test itself. 
• Practice books. Visit Lumos Learning’s Bookstore for PARCC practice tests. Lumos offers sample tests in its workbooks for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics: just select the appropriate subject and grade level to help your child (or students) practice for the test! See www.lumoslearning.com/parents/tedbookparcc for more information. • Heinemann resources. Literacy teachers will find a treasure trove of professional reading that can help them improve their instruction and understanding of the Common Core. Ultimately, this will help students achieve on the PARCC’s PBA and EOY. See www.heinemann.com/search/searchResults for valuable reading suggestions. • Close reading articles. To improve their reading comprehension, these two articles are sure to inform teachers of the many ways to help students with close reading: “Closing in on Close Reading” by Nancy Boyles (www.ascd.org/educational-leadership/Closing-in-on-Close-Reading) and “11 Tips to Turn Every Student into a Close Reader” by Samantha Cleaver (http://www.weareteachers.com/hot-topics/special-reports/close-reading-mastered-strategies-for-every-student). • Achieve the Core. This website is “full of free content designed to help educators implement the Common Core standards” (achievethecore.org). Simply click on the subject and grade level you wish to access, and you’ll find a myriad of lesson plans, activities, and other tools at your fingertips. • Videos. The New Jersey Department of Education offers a collection of videos on its site that explore the PARCC assessment, from its connections to the Common Core to sample questions to the test design itself. Check out the many videos at: < a href="www.state.nj.us/education">www.state.nj.us/education. (Note: If you are not an educator in New Jersey, visit your state’s website for state-specific PARCC information.) • Apps. Educational Apps which are available for free download are: SchoolUp App - that helps students learn & master grade-level skills in Math & Language Arts, by Offering step-by-step answer explanations, access to Common Core Standards & Full-length Practice Tests. StepUp App - A FREE App that helps parents and teachers get a wide range of useful information about their school. It provides convenient access to School performance reports, School “Stickies” and more! Read More on PARCC Resources: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
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