Oregon Online Student Assessment Testing Suspended

No later than 5:00 PM on March 13th, ODE will make a determination if TESA can be used for the remainder of the school year.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education has suspended all state assessment testing on the TESA system.

The Oregon Department of education is actively investigating a paper-and-pencil testing option in order to complete the school year and ensure that schools, districts and the state of Oregon meet their obligations under state and federal law and to support the use of valid and reliable assessment data to improve student achievement.

No later than 5:00 PM on March 13th, ODE will make a determination if TESA can be used for the remainder of the school year or if paper-and-pencil testing will proceed.

The bottom line is this: Either our vendor will be able to test the system and assure us that they can proceed or we will turn to another option to finish this year. Failing to complete testing will generate costly sanctions for school districts and the state.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The ODE recommends that schools DO NOT begin any planned paper-and-pencil testing during the current paper-and-pencil testing window. Based on the outcome of March 13th decision, ODE may extend the paper-and-pencil testing window. Students might be better served by testing later in the school year.

If you have questions about the administration of assessments, please contact Tony Alpert at tony.alpert@state.or.us; (503) 947-5827.

If you have other questions, please contact Ed Dennis at ed.dennis@state.or.us; (503) 947-5801.

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Grey March 12, 2007 11:45 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry Marie, I have to agree with Sue. The tests are fine on paper (Scan-tron was the buzz word when I was in school), but a failure online. I've seen first hand entire assignments thrown out of a curriculum because the class didn't get the material and the teacher needed to adjust the scores to reflect a positive outcome. Another instance of kids losing. The fact the kids will have to use pencil and paper this round should really help to weed out the teachers that are not making the effort. No Child Left Behind is not that hard to adhere too, I've seen the teachers that do it everyday. Sorry to say, but teaching is one of the few jobs where merit-based pay is needed. Whether the test is on paper or on computer, the material needs to be taught well and understood. As to needing to change gears in mid-shift, well I guess it's time for teachers to actually work and adapt. They get it their way enough and if they can't handle a pencil and paper then the job isn't for them. This may even help improve penmanship scores, at least now they will have to write instead of use an eraser.

Sue March 11, 2007 8:02 pm (Pacific time)

I disagree with Marie. Having been in computer labs with thirty or more students and not being able to fully complete a computer test leaves the kids disillusioned and wastes valuable classtime. Teachers are unhappy, students and parents are unhappy, and school administration is unhappy. Go to paper and pencil for the remainder of this year, until a truly reliable testing company can be incorporated into our system.

Marie March 10, 2007 7:18 pm (Pacific time)

I'm a 3rd grade teacher who was scheduled to have our first round at TESA in reading next week. Now we may have to go back to the paper pencil format. The kids are unfamiliar with the format, and what is worse, they have only one shot at passing. As these assessment results mean a the difference between an job or not for some teacher, it's pretty amazing that we are required to make such a drastic change so late in the game. To Vantage Learning and ODE: Please solve your problem resourcefully, respectfully and in the best interests of the kids and teachers. We should not have to pay the pricew for your financial disagreements.

Hank Ruark March 8, 2007 12:02 pm (Pacific time)

Situation may help force solid assessment of trend to testing, exposing mythical methodology open to many vulnerabilities. Learning media reseach over past century shows deepening demand for better insights and applications --but we do far too little to provide what we know is needed. Money is only one medium for full attack; public attention may become best possible motivator.

Alberto March 8, 2007 9:49 am (Pacific time)

I just took an online AARP test for reduction in insurance and or points on my license. The program was done very well. It was better than listening to some retired cop trying to make extra income to beef up his retirement by sitting through a six hour class. I did the course in 4 hours and it can take 5 or six on average. It was much better than a classroom, more interesting and you could not cheat. You would be more able to cheat in a classroom. I actually paid attention and learned some things and did not have a personality clash with the computer as I have with some teachers or instructers over my lifetime.

Leonardo March 8, 2007 6:29 am (Pacific time)

This could be for online testing of students what the Hindenburg disaster was for the development of lighter than air craft.

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