Every public school student in the U.S. will experience various types of testing each year. For decades, the purpose and quality of such testing, the time it takes to administer and take the test and how the data is used are the topic of discussion among students, parents, educators and policymakers. Those supporting the importance of testing assume that more assessment improves student achievement and that the pros of testing outweigh their perceptions of the additional costs. Those against excessive testing, believe that schools are sacrificing learning time in order to test or prepare for...

Every public school student in the U.S. will experience various types of testing each year. For decades, the purpose and quality of such testing, the time it takes to administer and take the test and how the data is used are the topic of discussion among students, parents, educators and policymakers. Those supporting the importance of testing assume that more assessment improves student achievement and that the pros of testing outweigh their perceptions of the additional costs. Those against excessive testing, believe that schools are sacrificing learning time in order to test or prepare for...