Issues Raised Over ISTEP+ Test Item Security

Questions over ISTEP+ test item security are being raised now that the testing window is open. (Photo Credit: James Martin/Flickr)

This year’s version of the ISTEP+ is steeped in controversy: the original length of the test exceeded 12 hours, legislation to change it last minute quickly moved through the legislature and the controversy sparked ideas of opting out for some families.

Now, it seems there are questions around security of test items, reports Rich Van Wyk of WTHR-TV:

We heard of a fourth grader in Huntington who opened his math test, raised his hand and told the teacher that he’d seen the question before.

Practice tests fourth graders used to prepare for ISTEP+ inadvertently included an actual test question. That’s a serious breach of test security.

“The test is too important to have problems with it,” said Cari Whicker, State Board of Education.

Whicker is sixth grade teacher and member of Indiana’s state board of education.

“We are just at the beginning of the testing window. I hope this isn’t a sign of more problems to come,” she said.

After so many rushed changes to this year’s test, the test consultants hired through Governor Pence’s executive order issued a report on ways to make next year’s testing process go smoother.