Dive Brief:
- Texas will not use its standardized test results for fifth and eighth grade advancement decisions this year because of incorrect results being reported by Educational Testing Services and delays in the delivery of the scores.
- The Dallas Morning News reports the state education agency directed ETS to conduct additional quality control and verification checks to ensure accuracy, and while this will take longer, the state still plans to use the results for annual accountability ratings for schools.
- At least 40 schools still have not received their test results, leaving students and families in limbo because the score reports will determine whether students must take summer school classes or re-take an exam later this month.
Dive Insight:
Texas ended a 15-year relationship with Pearson in 2015, choosing ETS over the London-based corporation, which had received more than $1 billion from Texas to administer tests over more than a decade. The contract with ETS outlined a four-year relationship that will cost the state $280 million. The New Jersey company, however, has not started the contract on the best footing. It apologized to students, parents, teachers and districts for the issues that have plagued this first administration of the STAAR test and said it is taking steps to keep the same problems from happening after future tests.
The problems in Texas come amid continued pressure from parents to reduce the frequency of standardized tests and drop those that are high-stakes. Tech problems with computer-based Common Core tests have riled families, and all of the opposition has coalesced into an opt-out movement in some communities and states.