The Summative Assessments are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. The tests capitalize on the strengths of computer adaptive testingâefficient and precise measurement across the full range of achievement and timely turnaround of results.
Kola wellâs derrick in 1980: still the worldâs deepest hole (Credit: Wikipedia) Decades ago, the Russians drilled deeper than anyone has ever gone. Their Kola Superdeep Borehole was started in 1970 and still holds the world record for the deepest hole in the ground. But they didnât reach the mantle.
In 1970, Soviet geologists took on the challenge, setting their drills over the Kola Peninsula, which juts eastward out of the Scandinavian landmass. The Kola Superdeep Borehole was just 9 inches in diameter, but at 40,230 feet (12,262 meters) reigns as the deepest hole. It took almost 20 years to reach that 7.5-mile depthâonly half the distance or less to the mantle. Among the more interesting discoveries: microscopic plankton fossils found at four miles down.