Truck cuts cable, slowing connection for some student tests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee education officials say a dump truck has cut a major fiber cable and temporarily affected internet connectivity during student online testing, which has already experienced problems.

Department of Education spokeswoman Sara Gast says the main fiber cable between Nashville and Atlanta was cut, and officials warned of possible slowdowns Thursday for TNReady testing as backup channels were used.

Gast says the issue was resolved Thursday, with about 170,000 test sessions still completed that day. The multi-part test can be administered within a 3 ½-week window.

Officials stressed that it wasn’t a testing platform problem.

A cyberattack last week on TNReady’s testing company temporarily affected student access. It sent lawmakers scrambling to pass legislation to hold students, teachers and schools harmless from the scores.

About 300,000 students are taking TNReady this spring.