CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Education announced Friday the selection of American Institutes for Research as the company chosen to provide the material for the new statewide standardized testing for students in the third through eighth grades.
AIR will replace the Smarter Balanced test the legislature voted out in April. The state Department of Education previously announced SAT would provide the statewide test for 11th graders.
“The new West Virginia General Summative Assessment will be closely aligned to West Virginia’s standards and our educators will be able to provide input on test items,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Lou Maynus said in a news release. “AIR provides a complete assessment solution, including interim benchmark assessments with item analysis available to teachers to provide ongoing feedback and practice throughout the year.”
For the first year of testing that take place next spring, AIR will make available items from the company’s existing item bank to be reviewed by state education officials. Some teachers will also have a chance to review some of the test items and provide feedback.
Beginning in the second year of the test, teachers will have the opportunity to include new test items.
According to the state department, the testing won’t take as long as previous testing and the results will be back sooner.
“The assessment should take no more than four hours for students not taking the science assessment and no more than five-and-a-half hours for students taking the science assessment. Educators will have access to student reports within 12 business days of test administration,” Friday’s news release said.