The State Auditor's Office has issued a report criticizing as too vague a $462 million contract that allows a Britain-based multinational firm to produce standardized tests for Texas public schools.
Released Tuesday, it says education officials lacked proper oversight to make changes and ensure they get what they pay for in their agreement with NCS Pearson, Inc.
Auditors also concluded that that will hinder the Texas Education Agency's ability to assess the costs of the Texas Legislature's reducing the number of exams high school students must now pass to graduate.
Education Commissioner Michael Williams responded that auditors' recommendations can strengthen his agency's oversight of student testing contracts.
Williams also said he's confident his agency has "been an effective steward and watchdog of taxpayer dollars" in its testing agreement with Pearson.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.