The 2016 TNReady tests have been called yet another failed educational experiment.
On Tuesday, Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, fielded questions about how TNReady, an online testing format, went completely offline the day testing began.
"This was on the heels on multiple challenges that we have had over the last several weeks to ensure that our districts and the platform connected well," said McQueen.
It meant going back to paper and pencil at the last minute. "I think it's really hard for teachers not to say I told you so," middle school teacher, Amanda Kail said.
Teachers like Kail, however, reflected on how they had spent the last several months preparing for the online test.
"A lot of schools like mine didn't have enough computers to test every student so we had to come up with the computers first of all. Then we had to teach the students the computer skills to take the test, things like typing, which is not something your average fifth grader knows how to do," Kail explained.
Then came the practice tests. "Those practice tests, when you don't have enough computers to test the whole school at one time, take weeks," she said.
In the midst of re-formatting, teachers were worried about their evaluations which will come from this year's TNReady data.
In a statement from the Governor's office, Press Secretary Jennifer Donnals said TNReady will count for 10% of a teacher's evaluation. Donnals' full statement is written below.
"According to NAEP results, or the nation’s report card, Tennessee students are the fastest improving students in the country since 2011. In addition, since 2011 131,000 more students are on grade-level in math and nearly 60,000 more are on grade-level in science. For the third straight year, Tennessee public high school students improve on their ACT, and our graduation rate has increased for the third year in a row and now stands at 88 percent. The state made adjustments to teacher evaluation and accountability last year to account for this transition from TCAP to TNReady. TNReady will count for only 10 percent of a teacher’s evaluation in 2015-16. The state is showing historic progress, and we can’t back up."
"Which doesn't sound like a lot but its enough to bring your score down, enough that you might not get tenure if you're up for tenure," Kail said.
An online petition has called for action from Governor Haslam to waive this year's data from teacher evaluations, another petition called for the resignation of Commissioner McQueen.
“Expecting teachers to take the fall for that when we have no control over the testing platform, when we have no control over how much technology our kids have and our schools have, its just not fair," said Kail. "Its not sending a good message to teachers that we’re valued for what we do."
Click here to view the letter sent from Commissioner McQueen to all teachers.
