The Texas Education Agency stopped online STAAR testing across the state Tuesday, saying the vendor was dealing with database issues that prevented students from taking the test. Districts were told to continue in-person testing, but online tests for English I and 4th and 7th grade reading were stopped.
“We understand the frustration this has caused students, parents, teachers, and administrators. What happened today is completely unacceptable. ETS, the testing vendor, experienced problems with their database system, which are in the process of being corrected," TEA wrote in a statement.
TEA says some kids were not able to log in at the beginning of the test; others were dealing with slow loading times; some were able to start the test, but the system would freeze up when students started answering questions.
TEA told districts to stop online testing, but kids taking tests in person should continue. The agency said online testing should resume Wednesday.
This year, the STAAR test is being given in person and online, but kids cannot switch between the two.
TEA says the vendor, Educational Testing Service, would not administer the online version of the test next year.
"Beginning next school year, Cambium Assessment will be taking over these critical testing functions to ensure that users have a seamless online testing experience moving forward," TEA says.
The state has been planning to switch to an entirely online STAAR test in the 2022-2023 school year.