Stanford 9 replacement announced

The statewide standardized test that students take each spring will

sport a new look next year.

Instead of the Stanford 9 test, students will take the California

Achievement Test, sixth edition.

The new test was chosen mainly because it is developed by the same

company that is creating the California Standards Test and already

administers the high school exit exam.

District officials say they are disappointed in the change, especially

because the creator of the Stanford 9 -- Harcourt Educational Measurement

-- had an office in Newport Beach.

“We really had a good relationship and good experience with the

SAT-9,” said Peggy Anatol, director of curriculum and assessment for the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

As the new test will have new norms, it will also make it more

difficult for schools to write their California Distinguished School

applications because they need about five years worth of testing data,

Anatol said.