Reliance on Test Scores Questioned - Part Two

Yesterday, I posted part of a report on the problems with Pearson's testing services.  Today is part two and lists the problems reported between 2008 & 2012.   Most of these entries are documented with web references, should you wish to look further.  


2008-2009

Arkansas -- first graders forced to retake exam because real test used for practice 2009-2010

Wyoming – Pearson’s new computer adaptive PAWS flops; state declares company in “complete default of the contract;” $5.1 million fine accepted after negotiations but not pursued by state governor

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_d7fae426-7358-5000-a86b-aefcae258a2a.html

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_263ceb44-833a-11e0-911d-001cc4c002e0.html

2010

Florida – test score delivery delayed by more than a month – nearly $15 million in fines imposed and paid. School superintendents still question score accuracy --

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/florida-hits-fcat-contractor-pearson-with-another-12-million-in-penalties/1110688

Minnesota -- results from online science tests taken by 180,000 students delayed due to scoring error http://www.twincities.com/ci_15533234?nclick_check=1#

2011

Florida – some writing exams delivered to districts without cover sheets, revealing subject students would be asked to write about http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/testing/testmaker-pearson-replaces-faulty-fcats-missing-cover-sheets/1153508

Florida – new computerized algebra end-of-course exam delivery system crashes on first day of administration http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-05-17/features/os-algebra-test-pearson-problems-20110517_1_tests-algebra-high-schools

Oklahoma – “data quality issues” cause “unacceptable” delay in score delivery

-- http://newsok.com/errors-in-testing-data-hold-up-results-for-oklahoma-districts-students/article/3597297

Pearson ultimately replaced by CTB/McGraw Hill

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120714_19_A1_Afters391504

Guam – score release delayed because results based on flawed comparison data; government seeks reimbursement -- http://www.guampdn.com/article/20111021/NEWS01/110210303

Iowa – State Ethics and Campaign Finance Disclosure Board opens

investigation of Iowa Education Department director Jason Glass for

participating in all-expenses-paid trip to Brazil sponsored by

Pearson Foundation -- http://news.yahoo.com/formal-complaint-against-iowa-education-chief-190455698.html

New York – Attorney General Eric Schneiderman subpoenas financial records from Pearson Education and Pearson Foundation concerning their sponsorship of global junkets for dozens of state education leaders

-- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/education/new-york-attorney-general-is-investigating-pearson-education.html

Wyoming – Board of Education replaces Pearson as state’s test vendor after

widespread technical problems with online exam

(http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/state-education-officials-choose-new-paws-vendor/article_6ba18e9f-858c-5846-8274-db31c13494c1.html )