Teachers’ salaries in Indiana will be based on state test scores, but the administration of the computer-based tests came to a stop today because the computer servers stopped serving.
There was a time long ago when teachers were trusted to write their own tests and grade them. But that was when states assumed that teachers were professionals. Now the states trust out-of-state corporations and computers.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Possible irony, if they’re using Microsoft servers to deliver the tests 🙂
The same thing happened statewide in Oklahoma today also. Who will be held accountable? I bet not McGraw/Hill. Oh, wait, that’s right….me, because I’m a bad teacher (not even of a tested subject)!
Forgive me a cruel chuckle… bwahahahahahahahaha! But THEN! They’ll probably say “too bad, you get what you get!” Have experienced similar problems with dibels & mclass testing when using notebooks vs ipads… reaction time is different between them… so if one tester uses an ipad, and another uses a notebook, the reaction times are different… totally screws up inter-rater reliability… but no one listens or cares… folks are still too busy just trying to survive this insane testing mania.
It happened in Oklahoma, on the same day the SDE sent out instructions for collecting data for accountability: http://okeducationtruths.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/you-must-be-kidding-me/
These computer assessments are horrid. Why pay money when what you get is trash? Oops forgot…business has to make money off the backs of our young.
We had the same problem happen in Utah when we switched to computer assessments three or four years ago. The problems seem to resolve themselves, though. It still is hugely expensive to get more and more computers for these things, and we can’t use the Library or computer labs for the entire month of May.
And let’s not forget the Iowa-based computer glitz (as chronicled recently in “The Answer Sheet”) which shut down the apparatus at the Pear$on VUE Center in Waltham, Ma., when doctors taking the American Board of Internal Medicine Oncology Re-certification Exams had to wait for FIVE HOURS before being readmitted into the examination room (a difficult exam that was to have started–as most several hour, difficult exams usually do–in the morning), causing undue anxiety.
Isn’t it nice, though, to note that Pear$on is an equal opportunity annoyer?
Now, doctors know how kindergarteners must feel.
The same thing happened last in in Bridgeport, CT. Vallas implemented online ‘benchmark’ tests, and they glitched out midstream – after over a week of waited instructional time (and how much money?).
You all just need to chill our and “HAIL THE TESTING GODS”. The testing gods know what’s best. Yours is not to question.
Oklahoma is now talking about issuing a paper EOI Algebra test. However, they don’t have any on hand. The electronic test is compromised as many of the students already saw 10-15 of the problems. Gotta love spending millions on this crap then watching it go up in flames. Hopefully heads will roll at our SDE. Starting with our Superindentist. (Oklahoma’s Stae Supt. is a Dentist not an educator)
Accountability on the part of the testing corporations??
For sorry tests?
For scoring errors?
For testing glitches?
For wasted time?
For all the money districts have been forced to spend?
(sound of crickets chirping)
Thats what I thought.
Sigh.
Second Day – Shut down again.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/indiana/2013/04/30/developing-istep-system-down-again-tuesday-testing-window-extended/
Statement from Glenda Ritz – Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction
http://www.doe.in.gov/news/statement-indiana-superintendent-public-instruction-istep-testing-errors
Same thing happened here in Oklahoma again today. We were finally able to get the students on the test at about 11:40 AM (after starting at 9:20 AM and having the kids click the CTB icon and then the error message repeatedly for 2 hrs.). My daughter’s district didn’t even try today and is trying to reschedule. Our testing window ends statewide on Friday. So far, no help from the Oklahoma State Dept. of Education.
From the IDOE Website…
Based upon assurances made by CTB McGraw Hill, the Indiana Department of Education is opening ISTEP+ testing tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 1. In order to prevent further issues, the DOE is asking schools to decrease their daily test load to 50% of their normal levels until further notice. The DOE will work with local schools to ensure that they have the time they need to fairly administer the test. More detailed information will be released tomorrow.