Standardized Tests: Computer problems mar results of Ga. tests

The Georgia Board of Education voted Thursday to waive implications of the recent state Milestones tests for some students.

The results were undermined by computer glitches, many of them on the morning of April 19, when a “logjam” stalled some test takers.

“There were some schools that had intermittent issues,” said Melissa Fincher, director of testing for the Georgia Department of Education. Results were transmitted, but some kids may not have performed at their best because of the disruption, she said, so it wasn’t fair to them to use the scores.

She said 7 percent of test “sessions” had been affected as of Friday. Each student in grades three through eight has nine sessions. Close to half the nearly 1 million students in that age group took online exams this year, the largest in state history.

The school board voted to void the results for use in decisions about promoting students to the next grade. It only affects students in grades three, five and eight.

School starts in about a month in metro Atlanta. Check the dates here.

Most students in metro Atlanta will start school the first week of August, while others go back in July. Some school districts are already preparing for the return.

Supreme Court rulings could factor into case of Cobb teacher fired over book

Two Supreme Court rulings could impact a lawsuit by a Georgia teacher fired over a book she read to her class.

Two Georgia schools ranked among nation’s most beautiful campuses

Travel & Leisure magazine named its 30 most beautiful colleges and universities in the nation, and Berry College and the University of Georgia made the list

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Supreme Court rulings could factor into case of Cobb teacher fired over book

School starts in about a month in metro Atlanta. Check the dates here.

Clayton County again requiring clear backpacks for school year

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Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.