The first day of STAAR tests in Texas public schools was marred by problems affecting special needs students who take the online version of the standardized test.
College Station ISD officials say 279 students were affected, including 22 who do not know if their tests were accepted.
Bryan associate superintendent Barbara Ybarra says 40 students encountered problems with software from the state’s new testing company.
Bryan ISD students had trouble logging in, answers not being saved, losing their electronic place when they left and tried to resume, and being logged off.
Ybarra says for students taking the online fourth or seventh grade writing assessment, which are not required for promotion, she thinks the state will not count those scores in the district’s calculations.
For those taking online fifth and eighth grade math and English one…which are required for promotion, Ybarra anticipates the state will allow affected students to retake those tests in May.
Going forward, Ybarra tells parents to have their students prepared as always and know that teachers will be right there with their children.
Click below for comments from Barbara Ybarra, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver: