Editorial: No third chance for company

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

The state Education Department is talking tough about what its response should be to the second major blunder in as many years by the company that grades standardized tests for Nevada students. Superintendent Jack McLaughlin says he is looking at assessing penalties. Gary Waters, president of the state Board of Education, says he may call a special meeting to discuss the "very serious mistake." He noted the state's contract with the company -- Texas-based Harcourt Educational Measurement -- includes penalties and fines for foul-ups. He said it will be "very difficult" for the company to regain the board's confidence.

Neither McLaughlin nor Waters, however, is talking tough enough. This company's contract should be terminated and another company -- one whose record is free of major errors -- should be retained. Last year Harcourt miscalculated when grading the mathematics portion of the high school proficiency test. This mistake resulted in 736 sophomores and juniors being told they had failed when in fact they had passed. The news placed extreme stress on the students and their families. The company was fined $425,000 and later, after pressure from the state, reimbursed the students' families for any summer school and tutoring costs they had incurred as a result of the "failures." Additionally, the state Board of Education made it clear to Harcourt: One more major mistake and you will lose your contract.

This week, the company sent out incorrect test scores for 21,000 third and fifth graders in 80 Nevada schools. We consider that a major mistake. It's costing school districts money and creating anxiety for families. The state cannot afford to take any more chances with Harcourt. It's time for the Board of Education to follow through on its warning.