CPS computer problems begin with beginning of NWEA MAP testing program.... 'Event time confirmed: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 (beginning at 8:40 AM CDT, ending at 10:45 AM CDT)...'
A month after Chicago Public Schools faced an unprecedented Opt Out from the ISAT testing program, the controversial NWEA MAP testing program, which is computer based, blew up at several schools because the computers didn't work, or didn't respond, or were unable to access the test. CPS does not have a way of telling children, families and teachers what will happen when the computers fail for the NWEA, which is used for high-stakes beginning this year. The NWEA continues into May.
CPS "Chief Accountability Officer" John Barker shared a moment with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's chief education liaison Beth Swanson at the March 26, 2014 Board of Education meeting. Barker was hired from Memphis less than two years ago without explanation by CPS chief Barbara Byrd Bennett. Tennessee has the most controversial "value added" (VAM) so-called "accountability" system in the USA. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt. The controversial testing program, which is secret from parents, teachers and the students, is now the high-stakes testing for Chicago's public schools.
The following is the email distributed by the CPS "Office of Accountability" following the April 29, 2014 incident:
SERVICE UPDATE NOTIFICATION - NWEA Testing. Event time confirmed: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 (beginning at 8:40 AM CDT, ending at 10:45 AM CDT)
Symptoms You May Have Experienced: Some users were unable to access cps.horizonmanager.com. This mainly impacted some staff who were attempting to log in to Horizon to access MARC and proctor a test session. Users received a message that stated the website was unavailable.
Current status: The issue has been RESOLVED. Users should now be able to access the Horizon Manager URL. A small percentage of users may be unable to access the web site. Please escalate to your TechCo to have your DNS cache flushed on your workstation. Directions for flushing your DNS cache are available here for various operating systems:https://www.whatsmydns.net/ flush-dns.html
For Questions: If you have questions, please contact the CPS IT Service Desk at 773-553-3925, Option 6.
Thank you,
Kelly K. Mina
Assessment Specialist
Department of Assessment | Chicago Public Schools
P 773.553.1572
F 773.553.2421
kmcbride@cps.edu
