In defense of standardized tests. First, let me say what this diary is NOT.
This diary is NOT a defense of NCLB. NCLB is stupid legislation which is doing enormous harm and very little, if any, good. I am not going to discuss NCLB much in this diary, as there are others who know far more about it. Much of what I say will be relevant to NCLB; but NCLB is bad not because it USES standardized tests, but because it ABUSES them (and for other reasons, as well). When an adult took standardized tests forced on kids - The Answer Sheet. Update 12/12: QUIZ: Take part of the test that the local school board member took in the story below: Reading Quiz | Math Quiz.
Questions come from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for 10th grade. Update 12/6: Revealed: The school board member who took standardized test.