Dist. 204 fifth-grade tests lost

"Mom and Dad, the shipping company lost my test."

It sounds like it's right up there with "The dog ate my homework."

But in the case of Indian Prairie Unit District 204 fifth-graders, it really is the truth.

Superintendent Stephen Daeschner announced Monday night that a box of tests being shipped via FedEx has been lost. All fifth-grade students will have to take another test as a make-up.

Students had taken the Otis Lennon School Abilities Test in early October, according to Patrick Nolten, director of assessment, research and evaluation. He said the district gives the test each fall though it does not count toward federal No Child Left Behind requirements.

"For the fifth-graders, it has to do with program placement in middle school and another piece of data looking at student learning," Nolten said.

But about two weeks after shipping the tests to be scored, the district learned that despite electronic tracking, the box was nowhere to be found.

During the second week of December, students will take another test, this time the Cognitive Abilities Test or CogAT.

Nolten said the CogAT will measure students' reasoning and problem-solving skills in three 45-minute sessions. He expects to have results in February.

The district has sent a letter home to all parents explaining the situation.

It also has filed a claim with the shipping company for the loss.

Nolten estimates that administering a new test will cost about $10,000.

District 204 serves portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.