Shift to paper tests frustrates schools

A switch from computer testing to paper has left some Douglas County school officials frustrated.

The Oregon Department of Education sent a memo to schools last week announcing students will take their state assessments on paper rather than computers because of a dispute with Vantage Learning, the state’s testing contractor since 2001. The company claims the department owes it $2.8 million. The department says Vantage produced the bills after learning its contract would not be renewed.

The Register-Guard has reported that the department has filed suit against Vantage Learning, and the company is threatening a countersuit.

This year the department started requiring schools to take the tests on computers. Some districts, like Roseburg, would have been using the computers for the first time, though many districts had been using the computers for years.

Yoncalla has been using the computer to test students for several years. One advantage is instant feedback, Superintendent Art Johns said.

“That also gives us data as far as curriculum development and things like that,” Yoncalla High School Principal Brian Berry said.

Students also like using the computers better, he said.

The South Umpqua School District has also been using computer testing for several years.

“It probably is really hard for people to understand because they probably did any kind of testing on paper-pencil,” South Umpqua Superintendent Beverly Parsons said. “It is different now where the kids are accustomed to doing it on the computer ... I’m inclined to think they won’t do as well, but I don’t really know that for sure.”

Most districts will face scheduling problems because all students are required to take the tests, and the federal government grades schools on participation as well as scores.

Roseburg hadn’t started testing this year, according to Gwen Soderberg-Chase, director of educational services.

Schools will be giving tests in May, which is already a busy month, she said. They are normally finished in April.

Students won’t be given science tests this year, either.

“It’s very problematic,” Soderberg-Chase said. The school has lost an opportunity to find out how students are doing.

“Everybody will be testing furiously the last month of school,” Parsons said. “There really isn’t anything we can do about it. You just have to take it as it comes.”



• You can reach reporter Teresa Williams at 957-4230 or via e-mail at twilliams@newsreview.info.