JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska education department has chosen a new vendor for its statewide student tests after glitches earlier this year prompted cancellation of the tests.
The department announced Thursday that tests from Minnesota-based Data Recognition Corp. will be given to students in 2017.
In April, the department cited technical disruptions and concerns with the validity of tests results in cancelling computer-based testing administered by the Kansas-based Achievement and Assessment Institute.
Districts will be able to decide whether to give the new tests by paper or computer.
The estimated testing budget for the current school year is about $4.5 million. The contract is being negotiated. The department says the federal government contributes about $3.5 million annually toward the cost of Alaska’s statewide testing.
The department said it considered comments from teachers, superintendents, educational groups and others in choosing Data Recognition Corp. from among six applicants.
