Different states implement Common Core standards in different ways.
Illinois has its own test to determine college readiness, but some parents and teachers are trying to stop it. Critics say it causes problems for students and prevents teaching other subjects.
Illinois students will begin taking the new test -- PARCC, which stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers -- next month. It consists of math and reading exams given to students starting in third grade.
John Barker from Chicago Public Schools says CPS is a strong proponent of the common core standards.
"We also believe in PARCC very strongly, and in fact feel like this is going to be the test for the future," he said. "There are a lot of things that PARCC can do and will do that will be very different than the kind of tests we've used in the past."
But some teachers and parents think it might be different in a bad way. Cassie Creswell is part of a group that wants to stop the test.
"I'm getting letters every day from parents of kids with autism who say, 'My kid cannot take this test, and my school is telling me it's not an option to refuse.' This is cruel," Creswell said.
Wendy Katten is a parent of a sixth grader in Chicago Public Schools. She says PARCC "needs to be fixed."
"This test will have no beneficial value for my son," she said. "I know that my child's learning because he has grades, he does projects, he does portfolios, and so I gauge his learning. This test is horrific."
Proponents say the online test is the best way to assess students. The State Board of Education says delaying or getting rid of the test could mean losing federal funding.
Students will take the exam March 9, so it's unlikely any changes recommended by the newly formed study committee will take effect before the next testing date.
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