Megan Boldt
651-292-4818 (work)
651-245-9163 (cell)

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 9, 2015 – Education Minnesota President Denise Specht released the following statement in response to reports of results from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments being thrown out because of teacher involvement in the test-taking process.

“This was a uniquely challenging testing year given all the technical glitches and delays that plagued schools across the state. The high-stakes nature of the MCAs already fuels anxiety and pressure amongst students and educators; imagine their frustration when the system crashes during the middle of the test.

I can’t directly comment on the cases where teachers assisted students during the test. But it’s important to note that educators want to assist students and help them learn. That’s why they are in the profession. But the conditions high-stakes testing generates for students and educators are toxic.

Educators know they are going to be judged based on a deeply-flawed accountability system, putting them under tremendous pressure. And it’s telling when you have a fourth-grader so nervous she wrote test-taking tips on her hand, only to have her score thrown out. Politicians on both sides of the aisle agree the obsession with testing has gone too far.”

The Minnesota Department of Education received 91 test security notifications by the end of May this year. Approximately 1 million MCA exams were administered.

About Education Minnesota

Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.