Top Challenges Faced with Assessments: Teachers
8,000
Number of Respondents
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Reduced
instructional
time
Figure 8
Technology
availability
Student
preparedness for
technology-based
assessments
Funding for
assessments
Lack of
access to
high-quality
assessments
Sharing
results from
assessments
with parents
Mirroring these results, logistics related to assessments such as scheduling, technology availability, and student preparedness
for technology-based assessments were common concerns discussed in focus groups and interviews. Anecdotes from the
pilot social studies assessment and the writing assessment were referenced when focus group participants discussed the
challenges their schools faced related to technology. Many participants noted a need for additional devices (i.e., computers
or tablets) and improved technological infrastructure in order for online assessments to run smoothly. For example, a principal
from a school in a rural part of the state said:
“I’m at a preK-12 school, not very large, but when you’re trying to run sixth through eleventh grade through
the computer labs for the TCAP writing assessment, we have to shut down the labs for the month of
January to practice, then we have to shut it down for the month of February to test. So again, you’re talking
over two months of schedule interruptions in the computer lab for the test.”
Time Spent on Assessment
Figures 9-11 display survey results regarding time spent on assessments, which was also one of the most common themes
discussed in educator focus groups and interviews. It is interesting to note that district leaders are split about whether or
not too much time is spent on assessment, while a slightly larger percentage of principals feel too much time is spent on
assessments. The vast majority of teachers think too much time is spent assessing students.
Time Spent on Assessment: District Leaders
Too Little 1%
About Right
48%
Too Much
51%
*Survey question: Do you think the time spent on assessments in this district is too much, about right, or too little?
Figure 9
13