Board of Ed pushes back score reporting

Members of the state Board of Education agreed Thursday to give students another year to get up to speed with new standards and standardized tests. 

When test results are released this fall, they are expected to show students across the state scored lower on average in 2012-13. It something board members anticipated, given the higher standards.

State Superintendent June Atkinson said, "We’re moving from the minor leagues, where we had a batting average of .450. Now we’re moving to the major leagues where of course our batting average won’t be as great."

The board decided to count 2012-13 as a "transition year." The Department of Public Instruction is preparing a letter for parents to explain the scores and how they hold up against the old standards versus the new standards.

They'll use the interim to take another look at tests and make sure they are an accurate representation of student proficiency. 

The board also gave preliminary approval Thursday for 26 new charter schools and denied applications for six. Those schools could get their final charter in January.