SJSD Students to Begin Online Testing Program
By: Alan Van Zandt
Updated: January 26, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) It's test time, for both students and St. Joseph schools.
Kids will get grilled on their math, reading and science knowledge. The district will see if they're ready to meet a new mandate that will require all state standardized testing be done online by the 2014-2015 school year.
St. Joseph is one of a few districts testing the program out in advance. Instead of reaching for a number two pencil, students will grab a keypad and a mouse.
"The use of technology in the district seems like it's touched nearly every area of education," says David Lochhead, Technical Services Director for the St. Joseph Public Schools. "I think really this is just kind of a natural step."
District officials are confident students will be able to adjust to the change.
"Our teachers have been working really hard with our students for years to use the available technology. Whatever we have available, we work to use it," said Laura Nelson, Assistant Director, K-12 Assessment & Program Evaluation for the district.
The testing will be piloted at five schools: Bode and Roubidoux middle schools and Mark Twain, Edison and Hall Elementary. Just like the students who have to study, school staff will also have plenty of prep work to do ahead of a test.
"It is a challenge to keep the technology working and making sure its available and ready to go during the testing," Lochhead says.
Nelson says St. Joseph is more prepared than other districts when it comes to online testing. Nelson says our schools have the technology and computers to get it done, unlike many other schools.
"Point of conversation around the state, other school districts have not acquired as much bandwidth as we have and as much hardware. It's a swirling conversation among educators."
Kids will get grilled on their math, reading and science knowledge. The district will see if they're ready to meet a new mandate that will require all state standardized testing be done online by the 2014-2015 school year.
St. Joseph is one of a few districts testing the program out in advance. Instead of reaching for a number two pencil, students will grab a keypad and a mouse.
"The use of technology in the district seems like it's touched nearly every area of education," says David Lochhead, Technical Services Director for the St. Joseph Public Schools. "I think really this is just kind of a natural step."
District officials are confident students will be able to adjust to the change.
"Our teachers have been working really hard with our students for years to use the available technology. Whatever we have available, we work to use it," said Laura Nelson, Assistant Director, K-12 Assessment & Program Evaluation for the district.
The testing will be piloted at five schools: Bode and Roubidoux middle schools and Mark Twain, Edison and Hall Elementary. Just like the students who have to study, school staff will also have plenty of prep work to do ahead of a test.
"It is a challenge to keep the technology working and making sure its available and ready to go during the testing," Lochhead says.
Nelson says St. Joseph is more prepared than other districts when it comes to online testing. Nelson says our schools have the technology and computers to get it done, unlike many other schools.
"Point of conversation around the state, other school districts have not acquired as much bandwidth as we have and as much hardware. It's a swirling conversation among educators."
