Rural school districts lead Ohio in giving out online exams

COLUMBUS (AP) — Nearly a quarter of Ohio’s rural school districts administered state standardized tests online last year, the largest rate among any category of districts.

A state survey found about 24 percent of rural districts administered all exams online last year, which was the first year the option was offered, The Columbus Dispatch reported today.

Statewide, only 17 percent of districts used online exams exclusively.

“Rural districts have tried valiantly to provide access for online testing for their students,” said Tom Ash of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators.

Experts said online exams create opportunities that would be more difficult for traditional paper and pencil exams.