MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Questions abound for parents, students, and teachers after this week’s online failure of the new TNReady test.
In response, the state scrapped the online testing model for this school year and switched to paper tests.
School was out in Shelby County Friday, for staff to have a professional development day.
Many kids spent the day at the park instead of the classroom.
Soon, they will be sitting at their desks for a paper and pencil version of the state’s new TNReady test.
“We were going to take it for that week and then just be done, but then we’re going to take it sometime later. We’re not sure when,” said eighth grader Carter Mabry.
“We thought it was going to be on the computer, and typing it up, and writing it out takes longer,” said eighth grader James Anderson-Fisher.
Students and parents told WREG that after the online platform failed, they are not really sure what to expect.
So, WREG asked both SCS and the state.
The state said the testing window for Part I will be between February 22nd and March 18th.
SCS has this information on its website:
“Part I (Grades 3–8 and high schools on traditional schedules) – Feb. 22–March 11
Part I (High schools on block schedules) – April 18–29
Part II (Grades 3-8 on traditional schedules) – April 25–May 6
Part II (High schools on traditional and block schedules) – April 25–May 10
Note: Both Parts I and II will be administered via paper-and-pencil testing.”
The district said in a statement, “Parents can help students by making sure their children get plenty of rest during those testing periods and by not placing any extra pressure on students to perform well.”
“This is the biggest test of the year,” said third grader Daniel Ravlija.
The state is asking districts to schedule the tests the same way it scheduled the old TCAP, testing all of one subject in one day and scheduling for five consecutive business days.
Earlier this week, Education Commissioner Candice McQueen told WREG the items on the test would be the same on paper as they were online.
“TNReady remains TNReady,” she said.
Districts will start to receive the paper tests next week. WREG is working to learn when Shelby County’s will arrive.