This is so sad.

My son came home with a note that had about 7 testing dates. He is only in 5th grade!!!!

Sad, sad, sad.

This is precisely the sort of innovation that we need in public education. No Child Left Behind is a very flawed piece of legislation but taking exams online makes the most of it. This is what assessment should do and look like, its just too bad that the national legislation was such a vague unfunded mandate, otherwise we could have seen these sorts of benefits years ago.

The electronic testing saves so much time over the paper based ones. I was just disappointed with only having the language arts portion for the grade school portions as the time to do those so far has been roughly about half the time as the paper ones I did last year. To the person with seven test dates, I wouldn't panic. Your school just spread out the sections very broadly because they wanted to make it less stressful and still have enough time. That should equate to less than four hours in actual test time.

As a teacher in Nevada, we have also went to computer based testing. We use NWEA's MAP testing system.

We aren't sure that it is as good as the testing methods we used to use. The jury is still out on that one.

So, out of professional curisoity, I was wondering what system this school district is using.

Also, to "sad", I know that lots of testing is a pain, and that it seems like too much. But, if it is done right, and the teachers and administrators acutally use the data gleaned to plan instruction, research has shown that it is beneficial to the student...even if it is a pain to do it. I just hope that your administration and teachers are using the data to do just that. If not, it is a waste of time.

and the money spent on this goes to who's pocket? The Bush conglomerate perhaps?

I think Granite should get a great big Kudos on this one!

Let's face it, the fact that we are reading and typing on a computer is evidence of the business world these children/students will grow up in. Just plain smart on Granites part.

As for taking 7 tests, I agree that is excessive, in one sense. Having students take 7 end of year tests (beginning in February??) is a bit too much. On the other hand taking lots of forumative tests throughout the year to determine where a child is at in the curriculum is really smart.

Take math. If you administer weekly tests you should be able to catch that a student missed a certain concept. You can then help that student get back on track and stay on track. If this is not determined until the end of year, you really have nothing. End of year test results are so late, some not even showing up until the Summer, you never really have a chance to catch that child up.

Granite is doing good. And I am a 100% charter school supporter. Give credit where it is due!

Congrats and right on to Granite!

Provo district had EVERY test online this year. From 2nd grade through high school. It was a pain for the technology staff and for whoever was in charge at each school but they are light years ahead on technology.

One more good thing happening in Provo.

Now if they can get their salary schedule back on top the teachers will all smile once again!