Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, a Republican, signed a bill April 9 that would require uniform tests in reading, math, and science in many elementary and high school grades. The state’s current system of assessments lets school districts create their own tests to measure achievement for the federal No Child Left Behind Act and for state purposes.
The move to undercut Nebraska’s unique grassroots assessment drew criticism from top state education officials who support the current system and from standardized-testing critics nationally. (“Nebraska Bill Would Boost State Tests’ Status,” March 26, 2008.)
