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District outlines spring testing schedule; board funds AP-exam stipend and works with College Board on seniors' conflicts
Summary
Curriculum director Doctor Patterson briefed the board on the district’s spring testing calendar, which begins April 21 and runs through mid-May with some AP exams extending later; the district supports seniors with alternate AP dates and continues a local stipend to offset exam costs.
Harris County — Doctor Patterson, representing the district’s curriculum department, reviewed the spring testing schedule at the Harris County Board of Education committee meeting on April 10 and described arrangements for students, teachers and families as assessments begin later this month.
Patterson said statewide and district assessments start April 21 with third-, fifth-, sixth- and eighth-grade English language arts on the first day and that district testing will extend in various forms through May 16, with Advanced Placement exams scheduled after that window. He noted one AP Calculus group will test on May 22 after the College Board approved an alternate date to avoid conflict with senior milestones at some schools.
The district’s instructional and information-technology staff are preparing devices and practice opportunities for students. Patterson said Chromebooks are being updated for compatibility with the state’s DRC testing platform, teachers are scheduling online practice, and administrators are rehearsing student reporting procedures for testing locations. He also said accommodations for qualifying students have been checked.
Patterson and members of the board discussed seniors who sometimes return after graduation to take AP exams; Patterson said the district has worked with the College Board to allow some seniors to test on May 22 so they can participate in graduation-related activities on the original exam dates.
The board continues to provide a local stipend to offset AP-exam costs. Patterson said the state covers one AP STEM exam for students (subject to a $9 College Board surcharge), and the district adds funding in its budget to reduce costs further; historically that subsidy has lowered first-exam costs for students.
No vote was taken at the committee meeting; testing logistics and stipend funding will be handled through district administrative procedures and the upcoming budget process.
