BOULDER, Colo. -- Since 1997, the CSAP –- Colorado Student Assessment Program –- has been the best way for educators to be held accountable for what kids are learning in school.

But now they're looking for a new way and a computerized version of the test is a leading contender. The second of 10 "stakeholder" meetings was held Monday in Boulder at the St. Julien Hotel.

Representatives from higher education, early childhood learning, business, teaching and local school board members attended the brainstorming session, complete with drawing boards and colored markers.

The goal?

"What would be the collection of assessments that would take the place of CSAP?" said Dr. Ken Turner, deputy commissioner of the Colorado Board of Education. "We're seeing things like it balances both end-of-year, end of learning sequence with during the year kind of assessment. Right now, they're at the dreaming stage. So they're saying if you could have what you want, what would you have?"

Turner said it's "quite likely" the new assessment plan would include an online component.

"A test which provides results in real time that is adaptable so that, for youngsters who are high-performing and low-performing, it's challenging for all young people," Turner said.

One parent of two Boulder school kids said she likes the idea, as long as the new test is more challenging.

"I mean, kids are great at computers. But it's still time. What my concern is is about time and the perceived vacation from school. At least that's what the impression is that my kids give me every March," said Liz Lane.

The first deadline is February 2010, when the stakeholders are due to compile a first draft of specifications.

A more formal list is due in March with the actual new and improved (or replaced) CSAP to be give in 2012.

"We're really optimistic that if this is done well and it isn't just changing the standards and it's not just changing the assessments but it touches every classroom. And if we provide the kind of support that allows teachers to really understand what these mean and how they can influence teaching and learning, then it will have a better effect on student accomplishment," Turner said. "We're optimistic that what this will mean to teaching learning will outweigh whatever costs we have to incur to stand up the system."

A similar group tasked with changing assessment standards will present its findings to the Board of Education on Wednesday.

Turner, and others, said it will focus on limiting the scope of topics studied with an emphasis on better understanding of each subject.

"Narrow and deeper is the mantra," Turner said.

Senate Bill 212, passed in 2008, mandated the Board Of Education re-evaluate both standards and assessment methods.

Turner said, as a result, Colorado is now ahead of other states and more in line with expectations of the new president's administration.