State Testing Delayed Due to State-Wide System Failure

Two hour delay and subsequent cancellation leads to confusion and chaos for those taking end of course exams.

Katie Cronin, Ashley Sah, Lauren Sheperd and Anna Krouse|April 20, 2018

Students looked for their testing rooms yesterday morning outside the main office. “The situation is more chaotic, because now I have to prepare to take two tests instead of one,” said freshman Rohini Kumar

A state-wide testing system failure forced some students to complete two end of course exams yesterday rather than one.

Wednesday’s English Language Arts 1 test was abandoned after two hours, when students could not log into the state’s testing website. According to a district-wide testing update posted on shaker.org, “the network issue involved the actual testing company American Institutes for Research (AIR).”

Classes at the high school were cancelled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to accommodate state testing. The ELA 1 test that was abandoned Wednesday was rescheduled for Thursday morning or the afternoon, depending on students’ last names.

The rescheduling decision created problems for students who took both the Geometry and ELA 1 test. The End Of Course Geometry test, which is a test taken by all students enrolled in a geometry class, was set to occur when freshmen whose last names begin with letters A-G were to make up the rescheduled Language Arts I test.

Students were frustrated with the technology mishap. “It was a waste of time and energy, and mixed up people’s schedules,” freshman Jaclyn Shin stated in a text message.

However, teachers thought the school handled it well. “Given a situation where people weren’t prepared to address it, I thought they did an awesome job. They did the best that they could do with what they had,” said substitute teacher Anita Peebles.

Through emails to parents, Principal Jonathan Kuehnle explained the district’s plan to reschedule the test. The email stated, “Students who were scheduled to take the English Language Arts I end of course exam with no extended time accommodation are scheduled to retake the English Language Arts I test tomorrow (Thursday, April 19). Students with last names beginning A-G should report to the High School prior to 8 a.m. Students with last names beginning H-Z should report to the High School for testing prior to 12 p.m. Those students who receive extended time accommodations will test on a different day.”

The same statement was also released on the Shaker schools app.

“As a student who has to take the geometry test the next day as well as the makeup,” freshman Rohini Kumar said Wednesday evening, “the situation is more chaotic, because now I have to prepare to take two tests instead of one.”

Students who were scheduled to take both the ELA I and Geometry tests tested up to six and a half hours yesterday. Students spent three hours on the Geometry EOC exam and 210 minutes on the ELA I EOC exam. These are fixed times given by the state, and do not include students who need extended time.

Freshman Audrey Burnard, who was scheduled to take the Geometry and ELA 1 EOCs simultaneously, said, “I think that instead of moving the English EOC today, they could have moved it to Friday or next week and kept the schedule for today.”

Students who did not make the the ELA 1 test yesterday are scheduled to take it next Tuesday, April 24, at 8 a.m.

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About the 'Riter

Katie Cronin, Podcast Co-Editor

Katie Cronin (‘21) is in her fourth year with The Shakerite. She is currently a Podcast Editor alongside Bess von der Heydt, Madeline Price and Elle O’Brien, creating podcasts about the events at the high school and in the city of Shaker Heights. Aside from The Shakerite, Katie belongs to the Student Group on Race Relations and the women’s tennis team, and enjoys music and spending time with friends.

Ashley Sah, Videographer

Ashley Sah (‘21) is the Videographey Editor and is in her fourth year with the Shakerite. In her sophomore year she was the Social Issues Investigations Reporter, covering topics such as classroom size and student teacher relationships. She is also a founder and leader of STEM Ambassadors, an organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging diversity in STEM. She also plays flute and volunteers at Shiksha Daan. In her free time she enjoys writing poems, making strong espressos and playing piano.

Lauren Sheperd, Editor-in-Chief

Lauren Sheperd (‘21) is in her fourth year with The Shakerite. She is currently Editor-in-Chief, running and overseeing coverage for shakerite.com and the print issues. She is also a part of the Editorial Board. Lauren was The Shakerite’s Web Managing Editor her junior year, and Education Columnist her sophomore year. In the past, Lauren has written about mental health and gun violence. Aside from The Shakerite, Lauren is a cross country and track captain, is a member of the Student Group on Race Relations, is the president of Political Action Club and is a lifeguard. In her free time, she enjoys writing and listening to music.

Anna Krouse, Print Managing Editor

Anna Krouse (‘21) is in her third year with The Shakerite. She is currently a Print Managing Editor alongside Ethan Bloch, overseeing the production of The Shakerite’s print issues. As the Raider Zone Editor her sophomore year, she created the weekly web series known as the Raider Review and covered topics including the dangers of concussions in high school sports as well as proper coach vetting in Shaker. Outside of the Shakerite, Anna is President of Rock Climbing Club, a CORE leader in The Student Group on Race Relations, runs cross country and track, and is a Representative on Student Council. In her free time, she loves to rock climb, read, and listen to music.

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