Maine education officials announced Tuesday that they plan to use the SAT as the annual state assessment for high school juniors, and a New Hampshire company for the English and math tests for students in third through eighth grades.

The Maine Department of Education is using a new company because the Legislature voted this spring to drop the previous test – the Smarter Balanced test used by 18 states – after educators and parents argued that the test was flawed and difficult to administer and take.

The state officials said they are finalizing the proposal with Measured Progress, Inc., which will both develop and deliver the tests. Five companies bid for the project, officials said. Measured Progress was the company that developed Maine’s original state assessment years ago.

The president of the teachers union said she hoped some of the problems with the Smarter Balanced test will be avoided in the future.

“The Maine Education Association hopes the many voices of its members, who expressed extreme concern about too much testing last school year, will not be ignored when the new test is developed,” said Lois Kilby-Chesley, president of the Maine Education Association.

— Staff Writer Noel K. Gallagher