Cost of Common Core tests millions more than expected

The Wisconsin State Journal reports:

The cost of testing Wisconsin students over the next two years will be at least $7.2 million more than originally estimated, state documents show.

The increased price tag comes at a time when states are preparing their students for new tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards and an effort by local GOP lawmakers to diminish the standards and offer schools a way to opt out of taking the tests picked by the state.

The Department of Public Instruction is asking for $17.9 million for the 2015-16 school year and $18.5 million for the 2016-17 school year to pay for administering the tests, according to DPI’s 2015-17 budget request. That is about $3.26 million and $3.96 million more, respectively, than what is appropriated already.

Currently, the state has committed about $14.6 million for state assessments for those years, according to DPI.

No word yet from Bill and Melinda Gates on this story.