Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Post

Minn. in market for new student testing company

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The Minnesota Department of Education and a Washington D.C.-based testing company are parting ways.

In the spring, technical glitches caused delays for thousands of students taking online Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests.

Frustrated Minnesota education officials sent a letter in September to Washington D.C.-based American Institutes of Research, threatening to hold back payments if the company didn't address the problems.

American Institutes for Research officials said they addressed many of the problems, but blamed others on the Department of Education.

They also accused state education officials of being "disrespectful and unprofessional" at times to the company's employees.

Company officials say they won't bid on a new testing contract when their current three-year, $61 million deal with the state ends in 2014.

Until then, the state will work with the company to improve testing, said Charlene Briner, chief of staff for the Department of Education.

"It's in the best interest of both parties to continue to work toward a successful completion of this contract," she said. "Our goal is that the next spring's testing administration goes more smoothly than what we experienced last spring."

Briner said the department likely will announce a new partnership with a different testing company by spring.