Connecticut Mastery Test

Dates Delayed

By Tanjua Damon

Connecticut Mastery Testing has been delayed throughout the state this week in the wake of last week’s tragedy. The Commissioner of Education notified school districts last week that it would not be appropriate for students to be tested at this time.

The rescheduled test dates will be Wednesday, October 3 through Friday, October 19. The commissioner believes that students need time to deal with what happened and might have difficulty focusing on taking the CMT.

“In light of the tragic events that have struck our nation and their potential impact on the students and staff in Connecticut schools, we have decided to delay the administration of the 2001 CMT by two weeks,” said Theodore S. Sergi, commissioner of education, in a letter to all superintendents. “We understand that this change will cause a disruption to the plans that are already in place in your school district related to the CMT administration. However, we believe that delaying the assessment is appropriate under the circumstances. An assessment administered at a more settled time will yield a more valid measurement of students’ knowledge and skills.”

Newtown Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed said the two-week delay would be beneficial to schools and their students.

The CMT tests students’ ability in math, reading, and writing.