Rhode Island , along with many states across the country continue to call for more tests. It isn't bad enough so much time is wasted on "preparing for the tests" , now Rhode Island in part with 9 state consortium is preparing to launch a Kindergarten Entry Assessment for students that should be playing, jumping and sharing not stuck with the testing that has turned off so many children at an early age.
http://www.examiner.com/article/rhode-island-part-of-nine-state-consortium-to-implement-kindergarten-assessment
Rhode Island now has tied passing the NECAP tests to graduation as a requirement. This is happening even though 40% of students are in danger of not graduating based solely on this requirement. Parents, advocates, teachers need to stand up. Testing has its place and value, but it is not the end all and be all of education, public, private or otherwise.
