The state has named a provider to replace the Badger Exam for Wisconsin students. The state Department of Public Instruction says Data Recognition Corporation was successful in placing the winning bid to develop, administer and report the results of the on-line exam.
“In the last budget, the legislature and the governor had us move to a new assessment for grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and mathematics, and also an assessment in science,” said DPI’s John Johnson.
Johnson said the new assessment test will be shorter and less expensive – at $63 million dollars for ten years as compared to $104 million for ten years under the previous contract, which did not include a science assessment. State educators will also be involved in developing and reviewing the exam.
Contingent on successful contract negotiations, state students will take the Wisconsin Forward Exam in spring 2016. The exam will test students in English language arts and mathematics in grades three through eight and science in grades four, eight, and 10. High school students in grades nine through 11 will continue to take the ACT assessments.