Tampabay.com

SEPTEMBER 06, 2011

Pearson has problems with Oklahoma testing

Pearson Education Inc., the testing company that has paid millions in fines for problems with Florida's FCAT, can add another error to its growing list

The Oklahoman reports that the company did not accurately calculate test results for schools and districts in the state's accountability system. State superintendent Janet Barresi has called the state to end its contract with Pearson.

Oklahoma fired its previous testing company, Riverside, for delivering test scores late. Florida, by contrast, gave Pearson more work after the company's lengthy delay in scores.

Of course, there are few testing companies and none of them are without problems. Is that the biggest concern of all?

FairTest's Bob Schaeffer thinks so, particularly as the tests take on increasing significance. "What we see across the nation is a perverted game of musical chairs, in which a test company will get fires in one state for messing up and hired in another state," he told the Oklahoman.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Cara Fitzpatrick covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: cfitzpatrick@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: jsolochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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