Pearson Screwed Up Gifted And Talented Test

Gotham Schools reports a Friday afternoon news dump from the DOE about Pearson:

A major screwup by the testing company Pearson caused some children to be told they did not make the cut for city gifted programs when in fact they scored high enough to be admitted.

It’s a Friday news dump of epic proportions, at least for the thousands of city families that had their children tested for gifted and talented eligibility this year. Previously, the city had said 9,020 students had scored above the 90th percentile on two tests, making them eligible for admission to G&T programs. The real number is higher, Pearson and the Department of Education said.

Pearson, which has had a rocky road in New York in recent years, is sending a letter to parents that contains a lengthy mea culpa.

“Pearson has an established record in this field and we depend on its professionalism and deep capacity to deliver for the public.  But in this case they let our children and families down,” said Chancellor Dennis Walcott in a statement. “I have told the company’s officials in no uncertain terms that I expect this will never happen again.”

I am sure Pearson and the NYCDOE are hoping this news item goes unnoticed as people remain riveted to the news from Boston.

Gotham Schools says they will have more on this story later.

Here's hoping other news outlets pick up the story as well.

Coming on the heels of last year's error-riddled state tests developed by Pearson, including the infamous Pineapple and Hare episode, and this year's extra-lengthy tests that are literally making kids sick, maybe it's time New York State and New York City find a company that doesn't, you know, screw so many things up.