State Schools Chief Torlakson and School Board President
Kirst Applaud Improvements to Testing Agreement
CSTs and CMA Results Available in 10-12 Days Rather than Three Months
SACRAMENTO—Following approval of changes to the state's agreement with Educational Testing Service regarding the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and State Board of Education President Michael Kirst issued the following statements:
"In keeping with the Governor's State of the State address, the steps we are taking today will significantly reduce the time it takes to provide test scores to districts and schools. Beginning with the next school year, we expect both the California Standards Tests and the California Modified Assessment results to be reported in a matter of days rather than months, making them both more timely and more useful to our schools," Torlakson said. "I commend President Kirst for his work with the Department of Education on this project."
"Getting test results back quickly is a key priority of both the State Board and Governor Brown," added Kirst. "This change will make our system more useful and responsive to teachers, parents, and students."
Torlakson continued by saying, "I'm also pleased that we are moving forward with the transition to new assessments aligned to the new Common Core State Standards, including the creation of an advisory committee that will examine the wide range of tests now given to students," Torlakson added. "This work will allow me to prepare my recommendations to the Legislature later this year about how to achieve a shared, long-standing goal to reduce both the number of tests that are given and the time it takes to receive them—and most importantly, give students, parents, and teachers the best possible information about their progress."
For more information on the reauthorization, please visit the State Board of Education agenda Item 4 at SBE Meeting for March 2012 - State Board of Education.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
