The school district said cellphones or other smart technology may have been used during testing at Independence and Walnut Ridge high schools.

State tests are a familiar annual ritual—every spring, students in grades 3-8 take exams that assess what they know and are able to do in reading and math. Mandated by federal accountability policy, ...

The state said it was investigating "anomalies" in test results at Independence and Walnut Ridge high schools in Columbus.

Frustrated with an accountability system that revolves around once-a-year standardized exams, more states are looking to redesign the tests, hoping they provide teachers and districts with more timely ...