Murphy – Students still need to take End of Course and other state tests, and take those tests in person, but school officials don’t want students to be concerned about how those tests will affect them.
“Testing this year is about data,” Superintendent Jeana Conley said.
North Carolina Final Exams began last week, while End of Course and Career & Technical Education assessments are being completed this week.
Leslie Ledford, accountability and testing coordinator, said if the data shows there were issues with remote learning, it will give schools a valid argument for face-to-face instruction.
Conley added that the tests will help identify if there are any gaps in learning.
“We will have the ability in January to fill in gaps with these students,” she said.
Conley said what’s important is that students have mastery of the material.
Ledford explained that testing is a necessary process to maintain funding and comply with state and federal law. In-person testing is important to maintain the integrity of the tests.
Students and parents were told in September that these tests would be how students would get credit for the courses. For the in-person testing, schools must still follow the COVID guidelines from the state, and the cohort system in place is a benefit to testing arrangements.
At Andrews High School, Principal Lisa Fletcher said there were few complaints about in-person testing. The principal said most of her remote-only students arranged to take tests on Wednesdays, when face-to-face students are remote, and provided accommodations to meet students’ needs.
“They could be more than 6 feet if they needed to be,” she said.
Conley said any student concerned about their grades may contact their school principal to find ways to get the grades they feel they deserve. Ledford said a curve would be used.
“We will not make them suffer as a result of COVID,” she said.