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Computerized tests aren’t best for all

Published (2/25/2010)
By Kris Berggren
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Computerized testing don’t always work well for every student, including those learning English or those who have difficulty scrolling up and down on a screen to read text.

Facing a high-stakes test on the computer screen after failing more than once can cause students and their parents stress and anxiety, Burnsville High School Associate Principal Bruce Morrissette told the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee Feb. 24.

Rep. Will Morgan (DFL-Burnsville) sponsors HF2751, which would allow students who do not pass the reading and language arts Graduation Required Assessment for Diploma to retake the test in pencil-and-paper format.

Matt Mohs, St. Paul Schools director of Title I programs, said about 600 seniors in that district have not passed the test this year. He supports the bill “because I want to make sure we have done everything we can” to allow them to pass the required test.

Mohs also said frequent computer retakes tie up high schools’ computers for two weeks a month, preventing access for other students and requiring additional network capacity and technical support at the expense of other program areas.

Education Department Director of Research and Assessment Dirk Mattson estimated that a paper and pencil option would also have a cost, which could be “in the seven digits” depending on how frequently it was administered.

Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) opposed the bill, in part, because of “the unknown fiscal dimension in a year when everybody is just totally under fiscal pressures.”

The committee approved the bill on a 13-7 roll call vote, sending it to the House Finance Committee with a recommendation it be sent to the House K-12 Education Finance Division. Its companion, SF2610, sponsored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action the Senate Education Committee.

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