Dept. of Ed to Halt Exam Development

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is putting development of its end-of-year assessments on hold until the heated issue is cleared up with the State Board of Education and state lawmakers. The tests, known as the Keystone Exams, make up a third of a $201 million contract with the Data Recognition Corporation that will also develop a new cirriculum and new diagnostic methods for Commonwealth schools. The latter two endeavours will continue on schedule. Department of Education spokesman Mike Race says its unclear if the state will save any money through the hold, because the government wasn't sure how far development would go in this fiscal year, which ends shortly. The State Board of Education is under a related moratorium that prevents them from enacting any new graduation requirements. That restriction will be lifted at the end of June.