How much do you know about the new Badger Exam?
Public school students across central Wisconsin and the state are taking for the first time this year a new test called the Badger Exam, which is intended to measure learning but that now has become mired in the partisan politics of Madison.
The Badger Exam is taken on computers and replaces the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts exam, the old system of pencil-and-paper standardized tests that typically were given to students every fall.
While districts spent months preparing for the new tests, the Badger Exam's future remains unclear. Some state legislators have said they would like a new exam because of the troubled roll-out of the Badger Exam. The testing was delayed in April with a writing portion of the language arts section deleted and a key interactive feature dropped because it didn't work right.
Even the purpose of the exams hasn't been determined. In addition to measuring student performance, results originally were to be used to assess teacher and school performance.
But just as soon as Wisconsin kids are done with the exams, they might change again. Assembly Republicans are considering a bill that would ensure the results of the Badger Exam are not used to grade teachers and schools. The state Senate has already passed the bill. The Assembly may vote on the bill May 13.
That leaves central Wisconsin school leaders and teachers wondering why they worked hard to ensure that computer labs and students in third through eighth grades are prepared and ready for the new form of testing.
"I am very proud of the work we have all done to prepare for the Badger Exam this year as a district," said Kim Ziembo, director of instruction at the Marshfield School District.
Minor issues arose at many schools during the testing but quickly were addressed by technology staff, school officials said.
Despite the roll-out glitches, such as the lack of adaptive technology, school officials said the Badger Exam is a good way to assess learning. Computer adaptive technology would have allowed the test to adjust to a student's ability by basing the difficulty of each question on previous answers, providing more accurate measurement of student achievement than the WKCE.
"It's a more rigorous exam," said Dave Lockett, director of elementary education and assessment coordinator at the Stevens Point Area Public School District.
The online test is more comprehensive than the traditional pencil-and-paper exam it's replacing, Lockett said.
Though teachers and administrators like the tests, they now are concerned that politicians will not allow the exam to be used as planned and may introduce a completely new exam and format.
"We're not even sure how this test is going to be used," said Kathi Stebbins-Hintz, director of instruction at the Wisconsin Rapids School district.
"Testing needs to be done. ...We want and need to be accountable to parents and the community," Stebbins-Hintz said.
But it's frustrating when politicians get into the fray, district officials said.
"Teachers work really hard and they want their kids to do well. The testing is a big deal and they are really conscientious about it. ... It's frustrating for them and us because we don't know what is going to happen with the test now," Lockett said.
What you need to know about the new Badger Exam:
1. The Badger Exam is being given to all third thorough eighth-graders and assesses English and math skills.
2. Each school can set its schedule with all exams needing to be concluded by May 29. The deadline for finishing the test was extended because the roll out of the Badger Exam was delayed in April.
3. The Badger Exam replaces the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts exam, the old system of standardized testing which had been given in the fall. Students attending private schools using taxpayer-funded vouchers also are taking the test. The WKCE still is administered to grades four, eight and 10 during the fall to assess science and social studies knowledge.
4. Rather than paper-and-pencil tests, the Badger Exam is completed by students using computers.
5. Parents can request that their children opt out of the testing. This is not new to the Badger Exam. Historically, an opt-out provision has applied to state-wide testing.
6. The Badger Exam was developed by the Smarter Balanced testing consortium with the goal that the test will make it easier to compare not only schools to each other, but states as well.
Reporter Liz Welter can be reached at 715-384-3131. Find her on Twitter as
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