TEA SUSPENDS FIRST DAY OF STAAR TESTING AFTER ONLINE PLATFORM DISRUPTED BY OUTAGE
BRENHAM, BURTON ISDs AFFECTED BY CONNECTIVITY ISSUES
Brenham and Burton ISDs were among many school districts across the state that had trouble today (Tuesday) administering the STAAR test.
In a statement, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) acknowledged that some districts had trouble connecting to the STAAR Online Testing Platform, and advised districts that were facing problems to stop online testing for the day and resume tomorrow (Wednesday).
The TEA said the three STAAR tests affected were Grade 4 writing, Grade 7 writing, and English I. Today was the first of five days that students were able to take one of these three tests online.
Brenham ISD Superintendent Dr. Tylor Chaplin and Burton ISD Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy both confirmed that their districts experienced connectivity issues.
Brenham ISD said in a statement that “very few” students were affected, and that most of the students who tested had a paper packet. Dr. Chaplin added that some of the students who tested online, primarily high school students, were able to complete their tests after logging back into the testing system this afternoon.
Brenham ISD said students who were not able to complete their test will receive instructions and an opportunity to complete their test at a later date. This information will be communicated once the district gets a notification from the TEA and ETS, the testing vendor.
The TEA said today’s testing issues are “completely unacceptable,” and that those involved in public education in Texas “should expect better than what they have experienced today.” The TEA also said the state will no longer work with ETS to administer the STAAR test online; starting next school year, Cambium Assessment will take over these functions.
Full statement Tuesday from Brenham ISD below:
Earlier today, the TEA Student Assessment Division issued a statement relating to districts across the state experiencing connectivity issues with the STAAR Online Testing Platform (SOTP).
Brenham ISD would like to inform parents that very few of our students were affected and that most of our students who tested had a paper packet. Brenham ISD STAAR testers on April 6, 2021 are composed of the following:
- English I and English II re-testers
- Grade 4 writing
- Grade 7 writing
Brenham ISD students impacted by the statewide connectivity issues will receive instructions and an opportunity to complete their test at a later date. This information will be communicated once the district gets a notification from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and ETS.