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Few States Are Now In Line With Bush Testing Plan

President Bush's drumbeat for testing and accountability in education could require more than half the states to greatly expand their testing programs and spell major changes for the federal assessment now used to gauge student progress nationally.

Some educators embraced Mr. Bush's school proposals announced last week, including annual testing in grades 3-8, while others worried about an avalanche of assessments.

"I see it really as an extension of what's already been put in place," said Christopher T. Cross, the president of the Council for Basic Education, which advocates high standards for all students, and an assistant education secretary under former President George Bush. "It's very much a part...