OLYMPIA — One out of every four Washington schools with sixth through eighth grades will participate in online state testing next week when the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) is given for the first time.About 60,000 students in grades 6-8 in the participating schools will take the reading and/or math exams on a computer.
 
More than 360 schools in 181 school districts registered to participate in the first year of online state testing. The 364 schools, which represent nearly 27 percent of schools statewide with sixth through eighth grades, provide a diverse cross-section of large and small, and urban and rural buildings. A majority of the registered schools will test in all grades (6-8) and subject areas (reading and math), but some are testing in only specific grades or content areas.
 
“I’m pleased that we are moving forward with online testing,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “I believe students will be even more engaged in state testing when they take a test on a computer. Technology is an important part of education and online testing will have a positive impact in our schools.”
 
The testing window for the online MSP is from May 3 to June 4, and May 12-28 for the paper-and-pencil MSP exams.
 
Full story: http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2010/OnlineTestingBegins.aspx