Online Testing—A Look Into the Near Future
By Emily Hovland, Sleek Corporation

Nationwide online testing may not be as far off as you think. Several states have passed legislation requiring that all of their schools convert to online testing by January 2006. Meanwhile, some states have already begun to implement online evaluations. For example, Texas requires an online assessment for its end-of-course test in Algebra. Mississippi administers makeup exams online.

Obstacles
Despite the many advantages of online testing, there are drawbacks to consider. For instance, limited access to computers may extend the amount of time that testing requires. Additionally, the transition to computer administration may necessitate research regarding test validity and reliability.

Concerns may emerge about security issues or fairness, especially since students will have varying levels of experience with computers.

There may be political arguments about access, as poor or rural districts may not have computers, network capabilities, or Internet access. Finally, states need to be sure they have allocated enough funds to pay for the initial implementation process. Despite all these obstacles, many administrators today believe the eventual rewards of implementing online testing will outweigh the initial obstacles.

Positive Aspects
There are clearly a multitude of benefits associated with online testing. Online testing can be more affordable for states and can reduce the time it takes to report results to as little as 48 hours. It can also provide a way to explore skills not typically measured on existing tests. “Computer-adaptive testing” (a method that provides harder or easier questions depending on a student’s response) can be less stressful. Finally, online data storage facilitates testing management, eliminating the need for storage of tests and increasing the security of results through data encryption.

The convenience, speed, and economy of online testing will soon make traditional testing obsolete. Online testing is clearly the platform for the not-so-distant future.

Reprinted with permission from Media & Methods Magazine, March/April 2005 issue