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Angst over ISTEP continues as 2nd testing round approaches

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – Indiana schools are preparing to administer the second round of ISTEP+ testing this month, but lingering concerns over changes to the test continue to roil many districts.

Bloomington teacher Ben Strawn tells The Herald-Times that many of the frustrations are tied to glitches with online portions of the test. Students took paper-and-pencil exams during the first round of testing, but many will take the second wave online.

Many schools experienced frozen computer screens and other problems during stress tests of the online system.

Schools also say changes to this year’s test to align with new academic standards will make it harder to tell how well students did.

The Daily Journal reports the Indiana Department of Education doesn’t expect results until this fall and predicts scores will drop from previous years.