Parents across the nation are taking a stand against the use of
tests to measure, rate, and rank their children. Local school
boards are passing resolutions against high-stakes testing.
People are increasingly angry that tests are being used
inappropriately in ways for which they were not designed. They
are forming groups to protest. One of the best organized groups
functions in New York state. It is called Change the Stakes. It
adopted a statement in opposition to high-stakes testing drafted
by testing expert Fred Smith. In addition to their concerns
about narrowing the curriculum and demoralizing students,
parents and educators want to know more about the testing. They
want to know, for example: “How many professionally designed and
developed tests are being given in New York schools? What is the
purpose of each? When are they scheduled to be given? How much
time is spent administering each test? How many students and
schools are involved? And how much money does each test cost
(the material, the scoring an