Testing One, Two, Three: Is Testing in California Pushing Students Too Far? Student Run Press Conference - March 21, 2002

Responding to public demand for education reform, policymakers in recent years have pushed to increase education standards and expectations.  One way to accomplish this goal is through increased testing.  SAT 9, the High School Exit Exam, SAT I and SAT II, Golden State Exams…the list of standardized tests required of, and offered to, California’s students goes on and on.  But at what cost are schools administering the tests?  At what point have students been tested as much as they can bear?  Or, is standardized testing necessary to ensure that students obtain the best possible education?  Should schools place more emphasis on coursework and extra curricular activities and less emphasis on how well students can perform on tests?