State Test Programs Mushroom as NCLB Mandate Kicks In

Nearly half of states are expanding tests into more grades in 2005-06 school year.

You could describe it as the year of the tests. Twenty-three states are expanding their testing programs to additional grades this school year to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

“Every group I’ve been talking to, I’ve just said, ‘Be patient with us this year,’ ” said Alexa E. Posny, the deputy commissioner of education in Kansas, which is adding reading and math tests in four grades in each subject.

“First, it’s the sheer volume,” she said. “In the past, we would develop 4,000 test items; we’re developing 18,000 items. Second is the number of teachers who have never participated in state assessments, so it’s a whole new ballgame for them. And then there’s the overwhelming amount of data that will be available because there are...