This is the second time Morath has had to set aside some results because of widespread computer problems with the high-stakes tests. In 2016, about 14,200 students had answers erased and districts across Texas experienced a variety of issues including shipping problems, grading errors and even test questions with no correct answer.
The state's vendor — Educational Testing Services — ended up paying the state $5.7 million for those problems and planned to spend $15 million on improvements.
But in April, 41,702 students who were taking an online version of the STAAR tests were kicked off the system because of a server issue. Some were unable to log back on for up to three hours. This month, 29,307 students were testing when a sever had to be restarted, leaving some unable to reconnect for up to 90 minutes, officials said.
"We cannot allow technical disruptions during testing," Morath said in a prepared statement. "We are committed to providing a positive assessment experience for our districts and students."
ETS was levied $100,000 in damages. A spokesman for the testing vendor issued a comment saying this year's issues were caused by human error, not a defect in systems. Previous money to improve testing addressed systems, such as improvements to technology infrastructure, delivery and processing.
"ETS takes full responsibility for the recent connectivity issues with the online STAAR testing program and apologizes for the inconvenience to students, teachers and district officials," ETS spokesman Thomas Ewing said in a prepared statement. "We understand the importance of these assessments and strive to make the experience as stress-free as possible. We are committed to ensuring a similar event will not occur in the future and there will be a positive testing experience across the state."
Meanwhile, Morath said results for the affected tests won't count toward the state's academic accountability unless doing so would result in a higher rating for schools. This year is the first year districts will be graded on an A-F scale in accountability, which is largely based on test results. Schools will still be rated under the current pass/fail model.
Additionally, Morath said schools could waive grade promotion requirements for fifth and eighth graders affected by the glitches. In general, students in those grades must pass the STAAR tests before being promoted unless a placement committee gives its approval. Morath said the committees won't be necessary for these kids.
He updated lawmakers about the glitches at a hearing of the Texas House's Public Education committee Thursday.
Morath noted that about 19,000 of the students were in special education. Most of the tests in April were for fifth- and eighth-grade math, fourth- and seventh-grade writing and high school end-of-course English I. In May, it was primarily third- through eighth-grade reading tests.
This is the third year the New Jersey-based vendor has administered STAAR tests. The nonprofit oversees other tests worldwide, including the SATs and ones for graduate school admissions.
The state is set to rebid its massive state testing contract in June. ETS' contract —originally worth $280 million — runs through Aug. 31, 2019.
©2018 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
