Math specialist demonstrates new state digital test tools, urges classroom practice

Christy Reid, the district's math specialist and instructional supervisor, demonstrated the state's online test interface and new technology-enhanced math item types at a Clover School District special work session. Reid said the state vendor DRC has expanded item types this year to include multi-select and other technology-enhanced items tied to updated math standards, and that unfamiliar tools—not content alone—could increase student anxiety during testing.

Reid showed examples elementary students will face, including a bar-graph task that requires clicking between bars rather than shading, and an analog-clock widget that requires separately selecting hour and minute controls. "DRC is the state's company that creates all of our state assessments," Reid said, explaining the tools are embedded at the item level and that test behavior differs from traditional paper tests. She emphasized students must learn where the on-screen reference sheet and tool icons live: "If our children don't know to look for that, they're going to put a little more pressure and anxiety on themselves."

The presentation stressed practice: Reid recommended teachers use the OTT in class and encourage families to access it at home. She said DRC does not provide live assistance during items and teachers may not assist students once an item is active: "They cannot," Reid said when asked whether teachers may help after a test begins, adding that pre-test training is therefore essential. She also confirmed students may use a plain or gridded scratch sheet and that an opened on‑screen reference sheet remains visible until the student closes it.

Board members asked whether the new interface could lower scores statewide; Reid replied any effect would likely be statewide rather than unique to Clover and said she expects the district to perform well compared with state averages if students are trained on the tools. The presentation closed with a recommendation that teachers integrate OTT practice into instruction and use small-group sessions for students who are anxious about testing. Administrators said they will share OTT access details with families and continue teacher training ahead of the assessments.