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Standarized testing takes a turn for the 2024 school year: while the computer version is great, the adaptive nature restricts equal opportunity, and spreading it over three weeks instead of one is a disaster
“Everyone should get the same test. Easy math second module vs nearly impossible module.”
These are just a couple of examples of student responses after completing the 2024 test fest at DHS with the revised digital SAT. The students feel that while there are benefits to the current model, the execution from administrators can be improved. The Squall staff unanimously agrees that the three-week test fest for juniors this year created unsuspected problems; the testing should be done in a one-week Monday-Wednesday-Friday format.
The SAT for juniors and PSAT for freshmen and sophomores were digital this year, including two English modules, two math modules, and an essay for juniors. For all the tests, the later module of each subject varied in difficulty depending on the score of that subject’s first module. Standardized
testing, in our opinion, should not differ in difficulty. The core of standardized testing is to give students equal opportunity and the adaptive nature restricts that. Furthermore, not all students were
made aware of the depending variability of the second module.
On the other hand, the digital test fest came with some positives. We liked the self-paced aspect of the test. The fact that it is all digital, there are no flipping pages and taking your eyes off the screen. The added Desmos calculator on both math sections was well received since there have been non-calculator portions on previous tests. The digital adaptation is easier to navigate and overall more efficient than previous paper and pencil tests. Juniors who took the digital SAT found the digital break feature on the screen to be a nice touch.
It is also important to note that The Squall staff interviewed teachers about their opinions on the elongated testing situation. Most teachers would prefer the return of a single-week test fest. Being spread across several weeks, some teachers noted having a difficult time scheduling classwork on affected days due to absences. Affecting multiple weeks, we believe it had a much greater impact than a single week affected by testing would.
Select teachers continued class as usual during the extended test fest, piling homework while students prepared for these state tests. There needs to be an agreed-upon standard for all teachers to follow during the duration of the assesments. The Squall staff is against the current scheduling format for testing.
