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Success Stories
Every company has stories to share of challenges that were presented and the tools and resources that staff used to produce stunning results. DRC is no different. In fact, challenges are what inspire us and allow us to come together to find that perfect solution. Read below and learn why DRC remains one of the best in the testing industry.


Alaska Case Study

DRC has partnered with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (EED) on testing programs since 2004.

DRC currently holds the contracts for Alaska’s statewide assessments (Alaska Standards-Based Assessments or SBAs) administered in grades 3 through 10, and the High School Graduation Qualifying Examination (HSGQE) in reading, writing, and mathematics.

DRC’s Expertise in Online Testing
In 2006, DRC, along with our online testing partner Computerized Assessments and Learning, LLC (CAL), an affiliate of the University of Kansas, secured the contract to develop Alaska’s first-ever formative assessments. The Alaska Computerized Formative Assessment (ACFA) Program, administered by the Alaska State Board of Education and the EED, is an innovative online tool delivered to Alaska teachers. It provides on-demand results of student assessments, including information about specific areas of student development and feedback on lessons in progress.

The formative assessments are linked to specific Alaskan content standards and grade level expectations (GLEs), which complements day-to-day instruction and learning in the classroom. The assessments are administered to students in grades 3 through 10 in the subjects of reading and mathematics.

Formative Assessments – A Way of the Future
State departments of education across the country see formative assessments—ideally in electronic form—as an important testing method. "Alaska Computerized Formative Assessments provide a tool for teachers to monitor the progress of students frequently and with fast results, rather than waiting for the results of once-a-year statewide assessments,” says Roger Sampson, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of EED. “Frequent monitoring allows teachers to change their instruction to better meet the needs of each student while they're still teaching the unit. We believe this statewide initiative will lead to improved student achievement."

DRC is proud to partner with the EED on their assessment programs and looks forward to a continued relationship with the state of Alaska.


Louisiana Case Study


Since 1985, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) have partnered to improve and enhance Louisiana’s student testing and assessment programs.

In the beginning, DRC held contracts for developing Louisiana’s writing prompts. In 1998, DRC began the administering, scoring, and reporting of assessments to Louisiana students. Today, DRC is the prime contractor for the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) and the Integrated Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (iLEAP) testing programs. The LEAP contract includes multiple assessments throughout each year including the LEAP and GEE (Graduation Exit Examination) spring and retest administrations, the LEAP Alternate Assessments Levels 1 (LAA 1) and 2 (LAA 2), and the English Language Development Assessment (ELDA).

The LEAP is administered to grades 4 and 8 in English Language Arts (ELA) mathematics, science, and social studies. Fourth and eighth grade students are required to pass ELA and math in order to be promoted to the next grade. The GEE is administered to high school students in the same four subjects. Students are required to pass both ELA and math and either science or social studies in order to earn a Louisiana high school diploma. iLEAP is given to grades 3, 5, 6, and 7 in ELA, mathematics, science, and social studies and grade 9 in ELA and mathematics. LAA 1 is administered to students with significant disabilities and the LAA 2 is administered to students with persistent academic disabilities. ELDA is administered to limited English proficient (LEP) students to report annual progress or attainment of English proficiency.

LDE Relies on DRC’s Expertise
Under the direction of the LDE, experts across DRC’s various business units helped develop Louisiana’s Grade Level Expectations (GLEs), which determine what all students should master by the end of a given grade level. DRC staff is also currently working closely with the LDE on developing comprehensive curriculum standards, which will help state educators revise classroom courses and procedures to better meet student needs.

DRC has been proud to work with the state of Louisiana, which was listed in January 2006 Education Week as first in the nation for overall standards and accountability for the second time in three years and first in the nation for efforts to improve teacher quality for the second year in a row.

DRC Employees Respond to Tragedy in Louisiana
When tragedy struck New Orleans in August of 2005, DRC felt a personal responsibility and desire to help those affected by the hurricane. In an overwhelmingly successful corporate matching drive, employee donations and corporate gifts provided $37,000 to the First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. The Louisiana team has a special relationship with the First Baptist Church, as some state department and committee meetings are held there. As part of the relief effort, the church was being used as a shelter for evacuees, particularly newborn infants and their mothers from area hospitals.

In addition to the financial drive, employees asked how they could give more. In response, DRC sponsored a school supply donation drive, in which school supplies, classroom materials, and personal hygiene items were accepted. The donations were given to Louisiana’s East Baton Rouge Parish, the largest recipient of New Orleans evacuees. It was estimated that the parish took in 5,800 extra students.

DRC’s long-standing partnership with the LDE stems from dedication on the part of DRC’s project team members, who strive to provide excellent customer service to the Department as well as ensure that all testing programs run smoothly. DRC looks forward to a continued collaborative relationship with the Louisiana Department of Education in pursuing the achievement and success of all students in Louisiana.


A State Department of Education Study

A state department of education contracted with DRC to provide a review and evaluation of 70 course documents that comprised the state’s comprehensive curriculum. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the alignment of the curriculum materials with the state-approved grade-level expectations and to evaluate the curriculum in terms of grade-level appropriateness, the variety of learning modes, the teaching styles, and the usefulness of materials to teachers in implementing the state-approved, educational-standards-based curriculum in the classroom.


An Education Census Story

Working with the DRC Education group and a state department of education, DRC’s Survey Services Group developed and administered a curriculum implementation survey. This “Opportunity to Learn” survey focused on the content areas of English language arts and science.

This census survey was administered to english and science high school teachers who teach courses aligned to newly created performance standards. The purpose of the survey effort was to assess the implementation of the new standards (English language arts and science) in the classroom.

The results of the survey were an important element ensuring the credibility and defensibility of the standards, proving that students in the state were provided with the opportunity to learn the content being assessed on the state’s high-stakes high school graduation test.