Testing Problems Galore Nationwide

 Update 4/1: more than a dozen states are also having testing problems.  From KSL.com:

Standardizing testing is on hold in more than a dozen states because of Internet problems at the University of Kansas where the test developer is based.

Issues arose Tuesday when a backhoe severed a major fiber cable. Testing was canceled for the rest of the day before resuming Wednesday but was again suspended Thursday afternoon because of service disruptions. After students again experienced problems Friday morning, the testing suspension was resumed.

Marianne Perie, the center's director, said the suspension is causing "huge problems," especially for larger districts.

"They have very specific schedules about which students can go in which lab at which time and this outage has really messed up their schedule," she said.
end of update.

 It has nothing to do with opt-outs, either.

From RHS' principal, Brian Vance:

10th Grade Families-
Our SBA saga continues.  We had all of the students show up today who had not completed their testing, only to find out that there was still a percentage of students whose tests were still not working.  

We have been working with the district and with OSPI to troubleshoot the problems.  

So, we are going to take another break from testing on Friday to see if we can get everything resolved.  I will send out another email on Friday to let you know how to proceed on Monday.  

 It looks like we have about 90 students left to test.  

Big thanks to your students for their flexibility and determination.  Hopefully we will get everything resolved and the remaining students can finish on Monday.  I will send something out tomorrow to confirm our plan for Monday. 
Thank You,
Brian Vance, Principal

As well, it appears that the Student Assignment page was live for a period yesterday (this from a couple of parents.  It appears now that the page has gone dead.

According to the website, the assignments come out mid-April.

Comments

Catherine said…
Is my math right: a one day test, is now at 4 days and counting of classroom disruption? Because those 90 kids... are again going to have to miss class. And the rest of their classes will be disrupted. And their teachers forced to do overtime to get those 90 caught up...

At least Paper and Pencil bubble tests don't crash....
3/31/16, 9:27 PM
Ms206 said…
I totally agree. I teach in Philadelphia and PSSA testing is done with paper and pencil. I do not teach a class that takes the PSSAS, but I know enough about them anyhow. There are just so many possible issues from computers not working to Internet outages and bandwidth concerns, as well as potential issues with mice and keyboards. It is more foolproof to use paper and pencil. Plus, paper and pencil is going to be necessary anyway for students to show their work, especially in math and science. As the saying goes, keep it simple, stupid.
4/5/16, 3:22 PM
Ms206 said…
I totally agree. I teach in Philadelphia and PSSA testing is done with paper and pencil. I do not teach a class that takes the PSSAS, but I know enough about them anyhow. There are just so many possible issues from computers not working to Internet outages and bandwidth concerns, as well as potential issues with mice and keyboards. It is more foolproof to use paper and pencil. Plus, paper and pencil is going to be necessary anyway for students to show their work, especially in math and science. As the saying goes, keep it simple, stupid.
4/5/16, 3:22 PM
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1/7/21, 2:44 AM
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