Problematic testing

Although standardized testing has always seemed essential to primary and secondary school systems, basic skills tests have renewed the importance of evaluating student aptitude. Thus it is disappointing to see the recent error by National Computer Systems that denied 336 seniors their diplomas and about 8,000 other students the security of knowing they passed the math section of the basic skills test. Now amid legislative committee hearings and threats of lawsuits, the Eden Prairie testing company and the Department of Children, Families and Learning both must face their own test: Can they survive the blunders that originally led to the unfortunate mess?
One thing is clear about the series of events that led up to the discovery of the mistake: it was all caused by human error. There was no malicious plot to deprive students of their diplomas. From the state official who was away on vacation to the answer key mismatch, it was simply a few mistakes that led to the fiasco.
National Computer Systems has pledged to give $1,000 in college tuition to seniors who would have graduated but has not specifically promised anything to students in lower grades. They should remedy that error and pay for any additional schooling students had to take. But to sue for “emotional distress and damage to reputation,” as The Star Tribune reports a Burnsville family is doing — other aspects of the lawsuit include lost wages and opportunities, and private schooling and tutoring expenses — is a superfluous allegation, not easily remedied by money.
The importance of standardizing testing means a heavy burden falls on the organizations that grade the tests. The tests they process should be continually rechecked to insure there are no errors in grading. Parents’ access to the tests and their results are also important. One concerned parent’s involvement in his child’s life was able to erase a mistake affecting thousands.
Should a single test determine so much of a child’s future? Accidental mistakes like the one NCS made are bound to occur again. Hopefully, new safeguards and less dependence on tests will prevent another embarrassing mistake.