Sites Added for Viewing CLAS Test

It used to be one of the hottest topics in town.

Rumors flew when the state Department of Education first administered the California Learning Assessment System test for public school students in the spring. Parents, educators and conservative activists debated whether the CLAS tests stretched students’ minds or pried into their private lives with personal questions that demanded emotional responses.

But for all of the early controversy it stirred, when unsealed and on display for an entire month at the downtown headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the test had the attraction power of a bad movie.

Four weeks of viewing brought just 49 people. Nine of them were journalists.

“They were just trickling in,” said Esther Wong, director of the information technology division where the tests were on display until Friday.

In an attempt to attract more people and make the review process easier for the public, the district has added five sites, including one in Van Nuys, where the tests will be on display.

Those interested can simply browse or seriously study the English and language arts portions of the tests that fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders took in the spring.

The public viewing, which is taking place at 50 sites around the state, marks the first time that the California Department of Education has made any of its statewide assessment exams available to the public. The move was an effort to quell early opposition to the exams.

The Valley Scoring Center on 6621 Balboa Blvd. in Van Nuys will have the materials available from noon to 4 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Because quantities are limited, appointments are necessary. For more information, call (213) 625-4121.