Computer based tests bring a host of issues

From the Orlando Sentinel, by Leslie Postal

More Florida students than ever this year are taking state tests — both FCAT and new end-of-course exams — on computers. But because no regular high school has enough computers to test everyone at once, testing at each school has been spread out over several days.

Which raises the question: Are students taking it first talking about it with those who haven’t yet taken it, giving the later testers some sort of advantage? In this story last month, The Miami Herald explored the issue of whether these long testing periods raise the cheating risk.

State Board of Education member Roberto Martinez also wondered if there was a problem with students in Miami, for example, taking the end-of-course exam a few weeks ahead of students in other districts (districts could pick testing windows from April 23 to May 11). He and board member Sally Bradshaw both have ninth graders who took the geometry exam — and he wondered what it meant that his son in Miami took it two weeks ahead of Bradshaw’s in Leon County.

State officials say, ideally, it would be good if each high school did have enough computers to test everyone at once.

But Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson said preliminary checks of FCAT data show no sign that students taking the tests later somehow benefited from hallway or cafeteria conversations with friends who took it earlier. In fact, he said, the later test takers seemed to be doing a little worse.

Jane Fletcher, director of the Florida Education Department’s accountability office, said overall data from the state’s test security firm shows fewer potential cheating issues this year than last, even with districts picking different testing weeks for the end-of-course exams (in algebra, biology and geometry).

She also said there are three different versions of each end-of-course exam, making anything students might share somewhat less useful.

But she said it would be better if the state and districts could shorten the testing windows — though that means schools would need more computers.

And computers cost money.

State Board members said the issue should be discussed during budget talks this year.

“I think we should revisit this issue,” said board member John Padget. “What does it take in terms of money?”

The other issue (or complaint) about computer-based testing given the limited number of machines is that during the testing weeks those computers are off limits to other classes and other students.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/