April 18, 2018—Throughout Ohio today, all schools administering the Ohio State Tests experienced intermittent connectivity issues. Because we actively monitor network usage during these tests, it was readily apparent that this was not a local issue. Subsequently, we learned that the network issue involved the actual testing company, American Institutes for Research (AIR).
High School
This morning, students at Shaker Heights High School were taking either the State’s English Language Arts I or Biology test. A few students did not experience any connectivity issues and completed either Part I or Parts I and II of the English Language Arts I exam. Those students who were scheduled to take the Biology exam in the afternoon were able to login and complete the test as scheduled.
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, 4/19). 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.
For 9th grade families: Some 9th-grade students whose last names begin with A-G have a morning Geometry exam conflict with the rescheduled ELA I exam. These students should report to the Geometry exam in the morning and may be able to take the ELA I exam in the afternoon. If there are concerns about taking two EOC exams in one day, makeups for the ELA I exam will be accommodated. Please contact your guidance counselor with additional questions.
Middle School and Woodbury
Because the statewide connectivity issue occurred prior to our Middle School and Woodbury students starting the assigned tests, and because intermittent connectivity issues continued into the late morning, we decided that our best course of action was to suspend testing for the day and reschedule for a later period in time. Middle School students will have all tests shifted back one school day. Students scheduled to test at Woodbury today, will be tested tomorrow.
Elementary
Given today’s statewide connectivity issues, all elementary large group testing was postponed for the day. Some make-up testing did occur at various buildings. Most elementary buildings will continue with their original testing schedules and reschedule today’s missed test next week. Specific schedule information will be communicated from the individual buildings regarding student testing times.