Some major changes in the state's education policies will have students taking new ISTEP tests in each of the coming school years. The first test is being created by contractor CTB/McGraw-Hill for use during the upcoming school year. Federal education officials said that test would have to be given this year in order for the state to maintain its waiver from the No Child Left Behind law. The state will also seek a contractor to design an entirely new test for the 2015-2016 school year. The new tests come as part of the state's exit from the national Common Core education standards. A replacement for the current ISTEP tests was not expected until next school year, but federal officials say there must be one this year.
