“This is a fundamental misuse of this measurement tool,” said Tom Sgouros, a policy analyst in a statement. “The original goal of NECAP was to evaluate schools, and, to some extent, students within the schools. In order to make a reliable ranking among schools, you need to ensure that the differences between one school and another are statistically significant.”

State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist told WPRO Tuesday that she believes”it’s a positive thing that we’re focusing on the issue” but it’s not helpful to turn the conversation on the test itself and not on what the test is measuring.”

She initially felt the test, which she called a “publicity stunt” was a”clever project,” but the adults reactions to the questions were “unproductive” and sent an “untrue” message. Gist said if the adults had prepared for the exam, she’s sure they would have done well.

“Most people realize that educated adults can’t sit down and without any preparation be expected to do well,” she said. 

She said a series of Tweets sent to her by high school students over the weekend demonstrated anger and fear about the test, which raised her concerns. 

“We send a message to the students that the test is too hard or the test doesn’t matter, and neither of those are true,” she said. 

Here is a full list of “Take the Test” participants:

Gregg Amore – State Representative (East Providence)

Luis Aponte – Providence City Council member

Dr. Wendy Becker – Professor, Rhode Island College

David Bennett – State Representative (Warwick)

Deborah Brayton – Former chief of staff, Mayor Cicilline and Senator Chafee

Steven Brown – Executive Director, RI ACLU

Maria Cimini – State Representative (Providence)

Abel Collins – Program Director, Sierra Club

Umberto Crenca – Artistic Director, AS220

Gonzalo Cuervo – Deputy Chief of Staff, City of Providence

Dr. Jorge Elorza – Providence Housing Court Judge

Gayle Goldin – State Senator (Providence)

Frank Ferri – State Representative (Warwick)

Ken Fish – Former Director of Middle and High School Reform, RIDE

David Fisher – Reporter, ecoRI

Art Handy – State Representative (Cranston)

Alan Harlam – Director of Social Entrepreneurship, Brown University

David Heckman – Attorney

Thomas Hoffman – Education Technical Consultant

Kevin Jackson – Psychologist, Providence City Council member

Matthew Jerzyk – Deputy City Solicitor, City of Providence

David Karoff – Development Consultant; former VP of Grantmaking, RI Foundation

Brian Lalli – Former Providence School Board member

Jeff Levy – Attorney

Alex Lucini – Teacher, Providence Teachers Union Executive Board

Simon Moore – Executive Director, College Visions

Alex Morash – President, Young Democrats of Rhode Island

Barbara Morin – Environmental Scientist

Anne Mulready – Attorney

Laura Pisaturo – Attorney

Bryan Principe – Providence City Council member

Shery Principe – Human resources delivery consultant

Bill Rappleye – Reporter, NBC10

Rick Richards – Retired employee in RIDE’s Office of Testing

Adam Satchell – State Senator (West Warwick)

Tom Sgouros – Engineer and Policy Analyst

Carla Shalaby – Director of Elementary Education, Wellesley College

Frank Shea – Executive Director, Olneyville Housing Corporation

Earl N. Smith III – Assistant Dean, University of Rhode Island

Susan Smulyan – Professor, Brown University

Dulari Tahbilder – Executive Director, Breakthrough Providence

Teresa Tanzi – State Representative (Wakefield)

Jim Tull – Professor, Community College of Rhode Island and Providence College

Larry Valencia – State Representative (Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond)

Miriam Weizenbaum – Attorney

Cliff Wood – Providence Foundation; former Providence City Council member

Jennifer Wood – Attorney

Karina Wood – Director, RI Tobacco Control Network

Myrth York – Community leader, former Democratic gubernatorial nominee