MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The state’s new TNReady test continues to, in many ways, not be completely ready.
The state decided not to test online this school year, after the test’s online platform experienced major problems.
The state Department of Education decided to print paper tests.
But not all of those paper tests have been delivered to the districts, according to the state’s shipping schedule.
The state confirmed to WREG that 13 districts were scheduled to receive their paper TNReady tests last week, but due to a printing delay from the state’s testing vendor, did not.
One of those districts received its tests since then, but the 12 others are expected to get their tests by the end of this week.
Three of those districts, Bartlett, Tipton County, and the Achievement School District are in the WREG viewing area.
“That means our testing got bumped back a little bit, but our schools have been very nimble and responsive about making sure that they are ready for the assessments, and that they’re setting up the students to take the assessments, as well,” said ASD Director of Communications Letita Aaron.
The state-run Achievement School District, tasked with turning around underperforming schools, planned to begin testing for some grades this week.
“It’s tough for our teachers, for our students, and our schools, because they have to make plans over and over and over again to fit in the assessments. So, classroom plans have to be made again. Our building testing coordinators have to use much more of their time,” Aaron explained.
Still, the ASD, Tipton County Schools, and Bartlett City Schools told WREG, the districts are rolling with the punches.
The issues are out of their hands.
“Unforeseen changes come up everyday in the school business, and I think our people are just patient with it, and they’ll do the best job they can once we get the tests to them,” said Tipton County Director of Schools Dr. William Bibb.
An official with Bartlett City Schools said the district is being “flexible,” and made an arrangement with the state, in which the state will send tests directly to schools to expedite the process. B
artlett City Schools will have to adjust its testing window once the tests actually arrive.
The next big hurdle, aside from completing Part I of the TNReady test is bracing for Part II, which is scheduled to begin next month.
“It’s tight. It’s tight, but you know, we just have to prepare the students the very best we can,” Bibb said.
Shelby County Schools does not have the paper tests yet, but is not supposed to.
The state said that due to SCS’ large size, it always expected to deliver the tests to SCS later on.
The state said SCS will have its tests by next Monday.
The other districts included in this story are supposed to have theirs by Saturday.
Both Tipton and the ASD told WREG they plan to complete Part I of testing before spring break.
TNReady is a new state test, meant to better test student understanding.
The state said that so far, 120 districts have already received their materials.
Sixty districts have started and finished testing.
Here is the list of 12 schools that were supposed to receive paper tests last week but are still waiting:
Murfreesboro City
Bartlett
Sullivan County
Hamblen County
Achievement School District
Robertson County
Putnam County
Maury County
Tipton County
Madison County
Sevier County
Wilson County