The company contracted to provide standardized end-of-course exams in Kentucky has suspended online testing this week.
The Kentucky Department of Education halted the state’s ACT End-of-Course Exam last week after nearly 25 school districts experienced problems connecting to the test online. ACT officials initially told the department they had fixed the glitch, but later said more technical issues would prevent testing from resuming.The state will move forward with testing students in all districts using pencil and paper tests, which are expected to be delivered by next week. Around 60 percent of Kentucky school districts use the internet for the exam, and the education department recommends it count for as much as 20 percent of their final grades in the subjects tested. This includes English II, Algebra II, Biology and U.S. History.Officials now say it should be considered as more of an option.The ACT has a two-year contract which ends June 2013 worth around $7 million to administer tests in Kentucky. Officials say it's premature to comment on whether the state would be reimbursed for any technical issues.
