Budget Woes Putting Squeeze on State Testing, GAO Reports

Use of multiple-choice items grows as some seek to cut costs.

Congress’ investigative arm is spotlighting the challenges states face with their testing systems, from recession-driven budget pressures to ensuring the validity and reliability of statewide student assessments.

A new, wide-ranging report by the Government Accountability Office on state testing under the No Child Left Behind Act finds that although most states today spend far more on assessments than in 2002, when the federal law was enacted, 19 reported recent cuts in their testing budgets because of fiscal constraints. Ten others expected future reductions in such spending.

The report also finds that states face a variety of hurdles in ensuring the validity and reliability of those tests, such as staff capacity, assessment security, and developing alternate assessments...