Oregon’s department of education incorrectly coded some 600 of the state’s 10th grade writing tests, lowering the proficiency rates of 10 high schools in seven districts across the state.
After receiving the miscoded preliminary test scores in August, some of the districts challenged the results. Education department spokesman Gene Evans said that the tests were scored correctly, but were coded at the incorrect passing rates.
Some of the errors, which were corrected last month, were dramatic. For Molalla High School in Molalla River, the department reported that only 5 percent of students taking the test passed, though 57 percent did. Mr. Evans emphasized the department was working to improve its test-data-management skills and its communication with school districts.
