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Schools in about 25 states set to roll out new online standardized tests in the next two years can now find out whether the computers they have on hand will be able to handle the new technology. The state-led Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium released guidelines on Tuesday with specific requirements for devices.
The consortium, which is one of two groups receiving federal funding to develop tests that match the Common Core State Standards, said that in addition to computers, iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks running on newer operating systems will be able to be used for testing. All devices must have a 10” screen, a keyboard, internet access, and the ability to disable features that could be used to cheat during the test.
Some school officials have worried about whether current technology will be enough to handle new tests, or if schools will be forced to find the means to upgrade. In addition to the specific requirements released by the SMARTER coalition, the non-profit State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) also put out guidelines that outline how schools should prepare in order to administer tests beginning in the 2014-15 school year. SETDA has worked with both SMARTER and a second test developer, The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, to gauge how prepared districts are for the new tests. In total, the two groups represent 44 states and Washington, D.C. that will adopt online testing by 2014.
According to the SETDA guidelines, schools that have purchased technology recently, especially mobile or portable devices, will most likely be able to implement online testing easily. But the guidelines bring into question how feasible online testing will be for all schools, especially those with older technology and smaller budgets. SETDA warns that schools spending less than 5 percent of their budgets on technology will have trouble meeting existing and future needs for online testing. And additional money will also most likely be needed for technology coaches, technical support personnel, software, and new computers or tablets as older ones wear down.
At least 33 states are already offering one or more state tests through technology, with challenges and varying levels of success. Chaos ensued when Wyoming switched to online testing in 2010, leading to a lawsuit against Pearson, the company hired to administer the test. But some experts contend that online testing will prepare students for 21st century jobs, and can help teachers. “Adaptive testing is really beneficial and can pinpoint a student’s learning level more closely,” Gerri Marshall, supervisor of research and evaluation for a Wilmington, Del. school district that piloted digital testing, told Education Week.
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