After a hectic week of TNReady testing and issues with the online exam platform, lawmakers and school leaders say it's time to fix the problems.
"We've got to protect our students, our teachers, our schools and hold all of them harmless," state Rep. Eddie Smith, R-Knoxville, said.
That is what is happening with the new plan the legislature has put forward, at least for 2018. The TNReady test results from this year won't be used in assessing teachers or schools.
Local school districts will determine whether or not to count the tests as a grade for the students. So those where testing went on without a hitch, like Sevier County, can apply scores, but where there were snags in the system, like Knox County, could choose not to apply them.
"My personal opinion," said Knox County Superintendent Bob Thomas, "it would be really great not to count this year until the state can get things in order so this can happen in the manner it intended."
A lot of you asked, "why don't we just grab our number two pencils and go back to paper testing?" The Department of Education tells us, with production, shipping and distribution, the state would pay $11 million more on paper tests than online.
"Online is also the world we need to prepare out students for," Department of Education Director of Communications Sara Gast said in a statement to WBIR.
"In virtually every occupation, employees are expected to demonstrate their skills and knowledge using technology. That's something we know our students can do, too," she said.
We learned earlier this week during the meeting between the Joint House Education Committee, Department of Education commissioner Candice McQueen and Questar, the company is paid $30 million a year for the TNReady test.
A lot of you were worried about the health of your kids as well. Tennessee students grades 3-8 take four standardized tests a year, and for high schoolers, it depends on what classes they take.
Psychologist Dr. Susan Koller works with kids, and said student stress continues to rise, and the focus on standardized testing is a part of it.
"Instead of focusing on what they're learning and being enthusiastic about what they're learning, they're focusing on, 'what do I have to know for the test?'" Koller said.
A few more notes regarding TNReady testing:
-The results will still be available for parents and students to view once they have been processed.
-There is no direct cost to Knox County for TNReady testing.
-The local school districts will determine the TNReady test scores to count for 0-15 percent of the students' final grades.