No. 2 pencils ready: NC puts student tests online

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina education officials are releasing the questions asked students in their year-end exams.

The Charlotte Observer reports the questions were recently posted online after a state Board of Education panel agreed with skeptics who said the value of the tests that are given starting in third grade can’t be measured without knowing what questions were asked.

The tests are used to determine whether students have mastered math, science, computer literacy and other subjects and can decide which teachers get bonuses when there is money in the budget. They will be removed from any future tests.

A question for third-graders requires them to know how many cups are in a gallon, while fourth-graders need to know which force causes a bicycle’s brakes to work.

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On the Net:

North Carolina End-Of-Grade tests online: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/accountability/testing/eog/

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.