PARCC sets a higher performance standard in mathematics than MCAS, while both exams predict college performance comparably¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r? · q2
Currency · newest study 2015 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person · overdue for a recheck since 2018: tool and model accuracy changes quickly

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The study found the existing MCAS assessment predicts college performance as well as PARCC, but that PARCC sets a higher performance standard in mathematics. → Ira Nichols-Barrer 2015

Evidence¶

Ira Nichols-Barrer 2015¶

Ira Nichols-Barrer, Kate Place, Erin Dillon, Brian Gill. (2015). For Massachusetts Students, PARCC and MCAS Exams Comparable in Predicting College Outcomes (In Focus Brief). Washington, DC: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/in-focus-for-massachusetts-students-parcc-and-mcas-exams-comparable-in-predicting-college-outcomes

q2 · i? · associational · r?

The brief's headline summary of the study states that MCAS scores "predict college performance as well as scores on a new test" (PARCC), while "the new test sets a higher performance standard in mathematics." No statistics are printed in the brief.

"students’ scores on the state’s existing high school assessment predict college performance as well as scores on a new test that is already in use in several states and is being considered for statewide adoption in Massachusetts. However, the study also found that the new test sets a higher performance standard in mathematics."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• In math, meeting the PARCC college-readiness standard predicts higher college performance than meeting the MCAS proficiency standard — related
• In mathematics, meeting the PARCC college-readiness standard predicts higher college performance than meeting the MCAS proficiency standard, while in English language arts the two standards are similar — related
• The study is the first to examine whether PARCC assessments identify students who are ready for college, and it was commissioned to inform Massachusetts's decision between MCAS and PARCC — related
• In math, students meeting the PARCC college-ready standard are less likely to need remediation than students meeting the MCAS proficient standard — related
• Both MCAS and PARCC assessment scores predict college readiness, with similar validity in predicting college grades — related
• PARCC and MCAS scores show similar validity in predicting college grades for Massachusetts students — related
• MCAS and PARCC scores similarly predict which students need remedial coursework in college — related
• In mathematics, students meeting the PARCC college-ready standard are less likely to need remediation than students meeting the MCAS proficient standard; in English language arts the standards are not statistically distinguishable — related
• In math, students meeting the PARCC college-ready standard are less likely to need remediation than students meeting the MCAS proficient standard; in ELA the standards are not statistically distinguishable
• The study is the first to examine whether PARCC assessments identify students who are ready for college — related
• PARCC and MCAS scores show similar validity for predicting college grades — related