Student testing switches to online format
April 29, 2015
Charlea Mills
For the first time, the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are being administered online instead of on paper, and local districts see the advantages.
The MAP test is an assessment used to determine how well students in third through eighth grades across the state are performing. Before this year, the students took a paper-based assessment that was sent into the state for grading. However, this year, the MAP is being administered solely online, shortening the time students test and also the time it takes for districts to receive their scores.
Other tests also administered online include the End-of-Course (EOC) testing for higher grades and a free ACT test for all Missouri high school juniors.
Cassville, Exeter, Southwest and Wheaton have all begun testing and seem positive about the process despite some technical issues. While there have been a few kinks, that was to be expected with a brand new format.
Cassville assistant superintendent Jill LeCompte said, “We had some minor issues that had to have eDIRECT and DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) clear up, but overall, it has been fairly smooth.” Cassville completed the fifth and eighth grade assessments last week.
Southwest’s testing coordinator Angela Long said, “Testing took longer than expected for English Language Arts, so we had to be quite flexible in our scheduling, but otherwise, the process went fairly smoothly.” Any of the technical difficulties at Southwest were addressed quickly by their technology director Dan Shelton.
Exeter’s superintendent Dr. Ernest Raney stated, “The first day of testing was difficult due to technical issues that were undetected by the online MAP program prior to placing students at the workstations. Once resolved, technical interruptions were minimized.”
Dr. Raney continued, “The most common problem experienced by our students was the loss of connection, causing them to be logged off multiple times. This was due to a needed software update from the testing center. As distracting as this was for our students, we were proud of the perseverance our students demonstrated as they continued to deal with the issue throughout the English/Language Arts potion of the MAP test on the first day of testing.”
Wheaton and Purdy begin their testing this week. All Districts will continue testing into May to finish up with various grade levels.
All of the districts went through sample testing to ensure that the tests will be able to administered properly. Information released by DESE primarily listed the availability of test scores as the biggest advantage. DESE also assured that there were only a handful of districts that would be challenged by the bandwidth to provide the testing. However, all of the districts appeared to have at least some issues with the technological aspect of having all of the tests administered online.
Purdy superintendent Dr. Steven Chancellor stated, “We have experienced technical problems from the test manufacturer across the state. Their ability to provide a stable, reliable platform has caused concern. We will begin dialogue with the appropriate people in DESE to voice our expectations for improvement.”
Dr. Raney said bandwidth was an issue for the Exeter district. “Challenges we face in the new format include increased demand for internet bandwidth, wifi infrastructure expansion, and an increasing need for access to electronic tools with our students.”
Most students at various districts seem to be pleased with the online format versus the paper and pencil version utilized in the past. Chancellor said, “Students seem to embrace the technical aspect. Once the consistence issues have been addressed by the testing manufacturer, I expect to see the comfort level increase. In theory, it should also lend itself to providing deeper questions that students can truly express their thinking with.”
DESE is utilizing a Smarter Balanced test design and blueprints which will have students tested more effectively on their individual levels. Chancellor said, “The technology enhanced items add a layer which cannot be attained via traditional paper-pencil tests.”
With the new format, there is expected to be a learning curve. However, DESE also said that the tests are more challenging than the paper-and-pencil format in the past. DESE stated, “We are raising expectations to help our students better prepare for college and career.”
Wheaton superintendent Lance Massey addressed those changes. “This year we are being tested over the Missouri Learning Standards. As you move to a new set of standards, the challenge is ensuring that you have adequately taught the students the standard and that the students can, in turn, relay the knowledge back in a testing format. Another challenge is with the advanced level of rigor on the new format questions will have multiple answers and steps to correctly answer the question.”
The new format of MAP testing did not change the cost to the districts. Some schools are expected to receive their first round of testing results this week.
Charlea Mills
For the first time, the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are being administered online instead of on paper, and local districts see the advantages.
The MAP test is an assessment used to determine how well students in third through eighth grades across the state are performing. Before this year, the students took a paper-based assessment that was sent into the state for grading. However, this year, the MAP is being administered solely online, shortening the time students test and also the time it takes for districts to receive their scores.
Other tests also administered online include the End-of-Course (EOC) testing for higher grades and a free ACT test for all Missouri high school juniors.
Cassville, Exeter, Southwest and Wheaton have all begun testing and seem positive about the process despite some technical issues. While there have been a few kinks, that was to be expected with a brand new format.
Cassville assistant superintendent Jill LeCompte said, “We had some minor issues that had to have eDIRECT and DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) clear up, but overall, it has been fairly smooth.” Cassville completed the fifth and eighth grade assessments last week.
Southwest’s testing coordinator Angela Long said, “Testing took longer than expected for English Language Arts, so we had to be quite flexible in our scheduling, but otherwise, the process went fairly smoothly.” Any of the technical difficulties at Southwest were addressed quickly by their technology director Dan Shelton.
Exeter’s superintendent Dr. Ernest Raney stated, “The first day of testing was difficult due to technical issues that were undetected by the online MAP program prior to placing students at the workstations. Once resolved, technical interruptions were minimized.”
Dr. Raney continued, “The most common problem experienced by our students was the loss of connection, causing them to be logged off multiple times. This was due to a needed software update from the testing center. As distracting as this was for our students, we were proud of the perseverance our students demonstrated as they continued to deal with the issue throughout the English/Language Arts potion of the MAP test on the first day of testing.”
Wheaton and Purdy begin their testing this week. All Districts will continue testing into May to finish up with various grade levels.
All of the districts went through sample testing to ensure that the tests will be able to administered properly. Information released by DESE primarily listed the availability of test scores as the biggest advantage. DESE also assured that there were only a handful of districts that would be challenged by the bandwidth to provide the testing. However, all of the districts appeared to have at least some issues with the technological aspect of having all of the tests administered online.
Purdy superintendent Dr. Steven Chancellor stated, “We have experienced technical problems from the test manufacturer across the state. Their ability to provide a stable, reliable platform has caused concern. We will begin dialogue with the appropriate people in DESE to voice our expectations for improvement.”
Dr. Raney said bandwidth was an issue for the Exeter district. “Challenges we face in the new format include increased demand for internet bandwidth, wifi infrastructure expansion, and an increasing need for access to electronic tools with our students.”
Most students at various districts seem to be pleased with the online format versus the paper and pencil version utilized in the past. Chancellor said, “Students seem to embrace the technical aspect. Once the consistence issues have been addressed by the testing manufacturer, I expect to see the comfort level increase. In theory, it should also lend itself to providing deeper questions that students can truly express their thinking with.”
DESE is utilizing a Smarter Balanced test design and blueprints which will have students tested more effectively on their individual levels. Chancellor said, “The technology enhanced items add a layer which cannot be attained via traditional paper-pencil tests.”
With the new format, there is expected to be a learning curve. However, DESE also said that the tests are more challenging than the paper-and-pencil format in the past. DESE stated, “We are raising expectations to help our students better prepare for college and career.”
Wheaton superintendent Lance Massey addressed those changes. “This year we are being tested over the Missouri Learning Standards. As you move to a new set of standards, the challenge is ensuring that you have adequately taught the students the standard and that the students can, in turn, relay the knowledge back in a testing format. Another challenge is with the advanced level of rigor on the new format questions will have multiple answers and steps to correctly answer the question.”
The new format of MAP testing did not change the cost to the districts. Some schools are expected to receive their first round of testing results this week.
