51°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

State yet to receive test results for 2,700 Nye students

Thousands of Nye County School District students have yet to receive their scores from standardized tests they took toward the end of the 2016 school year.

A total of 2,755 students haven’t gotten their test scores back from various exams, the school district confirmed last week. That is 2,384 from grades three through eight, and 371 high school juniors.

The state attorney general’s office notified Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) last week of its failure to deliver statewide test score reports in a “timely” manner to the Nevada Department of Education.

“The Superintendent of Public Instruction has informed all state superintendents that the Nevada Department of Education, in partnership with the attorney general’s office, has notified Nevada’s testing vendor (DRC) that they are in breach of contract,” said Dale Norton, Nye County School District superintendent. “The state superintendent’s goal is to accelerate the delivery of student reports.”

In the letter sent to Data Recognition Corp., on Aug. 16, the attorney general’s office said that the firm breached its $51.5 million contract with the state by failing to deliver individual test results for the third through eighth grade English and language arts; math tests, science tests for grades third, fifth and 10th; and the individual student reports for the Nevada Alternative Assessment.

The letter claimed that Data Recognition Corp. “damaged” the education department’s educational mission, stating that the department uses the test results to point out student needs, enhance instruction and to oversee teacher performance.

By failing to deliver the test results by the four dates promised by Data Recognition, July 1, July 14, July 29, and Aug. 1, the education department was unable to provide crucial information to both teachers and parents of students in the state.

The attorney general’s office pointed out four the expected delivery dates in July and August for the scores for the students required to take them.

Data Recognition President and CEO Susan Engeleiter said in an emailed statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the firm had not received the attorney general’s letter as of Aug. 17, but responded to their emailed copy of the letter.

“We respectfully disagree with the complaints in the letter, and will be sending a formal response to the department,” the statement to the Review-Journal read.

The attorney general’s letter stated that the individual student results are expected to be delivered between Sept. 2 and Nov. 10, depending on the exams.

The letter stated that Data Recognition Corp. had 15 days to show that they corrected the alleged breaches of contract to the satisfaction of the education department.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Upcoming quilt show to be a feast for the eyes

The Shadow Mountain Quilters will be bringing the 2024 Pins and Needles Quilt Show to the valley next weekend and anyone with an appreciation for the fiber arts will not want to miss out on this dazzling display of color and design.

Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.