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RRPS faces tech challenges ahead of tests [Albuquerque Journal, N.M.]
[October 18, 2014]

RRPS faces tech challenges ahead of tests [Albuquerque Journal, N.M.]


(Albuquerque Journal (NM) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 18--The Rio Rancho school district is facing technology challenges -- not enough computers, electrical outlets or space -- in its preparation for the new online standardized test coming to local school districts this spring.



This school year, the New Mexico Public Education Department will replace its Standards Based Assessment, which is administered on paper, with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers that will be taken online.

The test will help determine whether students are performing at grade level in the subjects of math, writing and reading. Public school students in grades three through 11 are required to take the test, and results will be used in assigning school grades this school year and to evaluate teachers starting in 2016.


Mike Kenworthy, RRPS' executive director of information technology, gave a brief presentation to the school board Monday. He said the district still needs additional devices on which students will take the test, such as computers, tablets and laptops, as well as the ability to set up and hook up those devices to the Internet.

Staff at each school site has been asked to submit "gap reports" by the end of this month outlining what technology they still need to be ready for PARCC. Those needs could include more computers or laptops, an increase in wireless access, and additional electrical outlets, surge protectors and headsets.

Happy Miller, Rio Rancho Public Schools executive director of research, assessment, data and accountability, said recently that the district has purchased 1,200 additional computers and will try to upgrade some of its older ones. Most schools plan to use a combination of desktop and laptop computers.

Miller said so far the district has spent $750,000 for computers and attachments like microphones and headsets, as well as $9,000 for a practice typing program. The district also plans to hire two additional technicians at approximately $40,000 a year to help with the installation and maintenance of equipment.

Despite the recent purchases, Kenworthy told the board the district will still not have a computer for each student. He said that, while it's an admirable goal to reach a 1 to 1 ratio, it will happen only incrementally in coming years and needs to be part of a bigger picture.

"Throwing devices into the hand of every student is not going to instantly improve our test scores," he said. "It has to be a daily use of the devices that is incorporated into the curriculum." To address the shortage, Miller said the district will create a schedule and rotate students into the testing spaces. Schools will use a number of different versions of the test to prevent cheating.

Space is another issue because Miller said the size of the current computer labs are designed for support and "not for large portions of a school's student body to be simultaneously online taking high-stakes tests." She said having students test at different times instead of simultaneously will also help with this problem.

Board member Divyesh Patel asked the staff for a report on how much instructional time is being interrupted because the labs are being used for testing.

___ (c)2014 the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) Visit the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) at www.abqjournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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