Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union some elementary and middle schools statewide experienced complications with the pilot test administration of computer-based English Language Arts tests April 11. Faulty internet connections, blank screens and outright crashes were among the problems reported when students in grades 3 through 9 sat for the annual exam using computers, instead of the traditional paper and pencil. It was not immediately known how many students or schools lost their work. “Questar Assessment Inc., New York state’s assessment vendor, experienced delays in the delivery of computer-based tests to students in some schools this morning,” State Education Department spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said. “Questar has been working to resolve this as quickly as possible.” Representatives of the state’s major teacher’s union, New York State United Teachers said problems were reported in schools throughout the state. NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango said they had earlier written to the state Education Department voicing concerns about the computerized tests, including connectivity, the reliability of the tests and if students without keyboard skills would be at a disadvantage. Read the full story in the Times Union.