Mo. piloting new student tests for English, math

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- More than 360 Missouri schools will be participating in a pilot project for a new standardized testing system for English and math.

"The Smarter Balanced" tests are to be given to students in grades three through 11 starting this month and running into May.

Missouri is part of a consortium of 24 states that has been developing the new testing system.

It's based on the Common Core State Standards, an effort adopted by 45 states to come up with a consistent means of determining what students should know when they prepare for college.

The pilot program will not be used to report on student learning. Instead, it will provide information used to fine-tune the test and develop additional test questions.