Study: Impact of ISTEP Glitches ‘Not Measurable’
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA review of statewide ISTEP test interruptions suggests the impact can not be measured. The National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment was tasked with studying the effects of technical glitches associated with test administrator CTB McGraw-Hill's software. The state says it will continue to negotiate with the company regarding a settlement. The full report can be viewed by clicking here.
An interactive map showing the ISTEP+ interruptions by school corporation can be found by clicking here.
July 29, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In response to widespread problems associated with CTB McGraw-Hill's administration of the high-stakes ISTEP+ this spring, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz hired Dr. Richard Hill of the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment to review the results.
Among other things, the report shows the following:
-Because of the efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents, as well as the swift and decisive actions taken by Superintendent Ritz, the average negative statewide impact on scores was not measurable. However, this does not mitigate the effect the interruptions had on students, parents and teachers throughout Indiana.
-At this time, the exact impact of interruptions at the individual, classroom and teacher level cannot be ascertained.
“First, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Indiana students, parents, teachers, administrators and the employees of the Department of Education,” said Superintendent Ritz. Because of their dedication and hard work, the impact of these interruptions was limited. However, let me be clear, the problems with the ISTEP+ contractor were absolutely unacceptable. Every student deserves the opportunity to take a fair and uninterrupted assessment.
“I have spent the last several months talking with Hoosiers about the impact these interruptions had in the classroom. Although Dr. Hill's report found that the statewide average score was not affected by the interruptions, there is no doubt that thousands of Hoosier students were affected. As Dr. Hill stated in his report, 'We cannot know definitively how students would have scored this spring if the interruptions had not happened.' Because of this, I have given local schools the flexibility they need to minimize the effect these tests have on various matters, such as teacher evaluation and compensation. I have also instructed CTB McGraw-Hill to conduct enhanced stress and load testing to ensure that their servers are fully prepared for next year's test and ensure that this never happens again.”
The Department of Education is conducting an ongoing negotiation regarding settlement with CTB McGraw-Hill. Next steps for the Department include processing student reports to be available online to parents and students, and calculating A-F accountability results.
Source: The Indiana Department of Education