Indiana Awaits Standardized Test Results, Schools In Limbo

(CBS) -- A big mess – that's how officials are describing the results from an Indiana standardized test. Or lack of them.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports on the test score limbo.

Half a million Indiana primary school students spent six hours last spring at a computer, taking the controversial ISTEP standardized test. Their scores help future teachers gauge student progress and create teaching plans for the coming year.

Not this year.

Merrillville schools superintendent Tim Lux is one on a long list of administrators, educators and lawmakers frustrated at the scoring delay by test administrator McGraw Hill, whose president was grilled this week.

McGraw's Ellen Haley says an enhanced, computerized test calling for more involved answers, plus an expedited test timeline, contributed to the delay. Supt. Lux says it's not just student progress that suffers.

The results directly impact Indiana teacher evaluations and the all-important, overall grade given to a school.

Many believe these ISTEP results shouldn't carry any weight this school year. But a spokesperson says they will. But everybody will just have to wait.

McGraw Hill's $95 million contract with the state of Indiana ends this year.