3 approaches to online assessments

With the approach of online assessments, three districts are tackling the challenge

Online assessments are a key part of the Common Core State Standards, but these new assessments don’t come without obstacles. Adequate high-speed internet access, infrastructure, computers, funding, and manpower are just a few of states’ top concerns when it comes to properly implementing and administering online assessments in the next year.

Here’s a look at how three different states or districts are approaching online assessments. And while each approach is different, school leaders often share the same concerns.

Many schools don’t have the technology needed to give New Mexico’s new online standardized assessment scheduled for statewide adoption next year. School districts still have a year to prepare, but technology departments must hustle to make sure their schools have the computers, internet routers, and bandwidth necessary to comply with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) exam, which replaces the statewide paper-and-pencil test.

(Next page: Devices, internet, and field testing the assessments)