Standardized Tests Set to Change

(WOLO) CHARLESTON, S.C., — South Carolina school districts are preparing for new timed tests for English and math that students will take this spring. The Post and Courier reports the state Department of Education informed superintendents last month that ACT Inc.’s Aspire tests will assess student performance in the core subjects in April. But it’s unclear what tests will be used in 2016. This school year began with uncertainty after the Legislature passed a law in May requiring Common Core standards to be replaced by 2015-16. It also formalized the agency’s withdrawal from the “Smarter Balanced” testing consortium. That meant the state couldn’t use tests South Carolina officials helped create with 21 other states. ACT was awarded a five-year contract. But the state’s chief procurement officer ruled it was incorrectly awarded. (Source: Associated Press)