Common Core-based testing begins in S.D.

Common Core has landed.

After all of the dollars spent, curriculum adopted and lessons overhauled, Tuesday marked the first day South Dakota public schools could administer Common Core-based tests.

Unlike last year’s field test, scores will be tallied, reported and used to rate South Dakota schools.

Students have until mid-May to take the Smarter Balanced tests, tailored to the Common Core curriculum standards adopted in 2010 by South Dakota education officials. About 10 school districts have indicated they will begin testing this week, according to the South Dakota Department of Education.

“What I’m excited about is that we will be able to compare ourselves to other states that will be administering the same assessment,” Education Secretary Melody Schopp said. “We’ve never been able to do that.”

About 70,000 students participated in the test run last spring, and officials expect about the same number of students to take the test again this year.

Schools can administer the tests between now and May 15, using the window to spread out test-taking and ease the burden on local networks. Some school districts will wait weeks before they start setting up laptops and tablets for the Internet-only exams.

But not the Howard School District. Students in the rural district begin taking Smarter Balanced this week.

Superintendent Mike Cullen said starting early allows Howard educators to compensate for a hectic spring.

“It’s just really busy time,” Cullen said. “We have a ton of kids involved in a lot of activities.”

Some students begin exams Wednesday, but testing in Howard is scheduled to run into April.