Pal-Item: How Weather-Related School Closings Affect ISTEP Testing

Instagram photo by Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

A snowman with his snowson. Note the leash.

From the Richmond Palladium-Item:

Despite Wednesday’s widespread closings of area schools, local educators still expect most students to complete the administration of Indiana’s high-stakes standards exam, the ISTEP, by the end of this week.

Indiana schools actually have until March 13 to finish the applied skills, or the written part, of the exam. The testing is administered over three school days…

“The only problem the weather could cause is it’s one less day to give makeups,” [Centerville Middle School Principal Rick Schauss] said. “That’s a concern if a student is real ill by two or three days.” 

Of course, more broadly, Indiana law requires the school year be 180 days long. That means enough snow days will mean make-up days:

Wabash City Schools will be in session on Monday, March 18th to make up for today’s snow day.

— Jason Callahan (@WCS_SUPT) March 6, 2013

Be sure to check out our post on how snow days can affect test scores and our “Ultimate Guide To Indiana’s Standardized Tests.”