Not less, but 'better' testing in North Dakota schools

BISMARCK—In Bismarck, kindergartners are tested seven times a year. In Mandan, N.D., they take five.

Some of the assessments are short — one to two minutes long that require students to read a passage or complete several math questions. And while students statewide spend, on average, less than 1 percent of their classroom time testing, the number and time spent on tests is still concerning, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler said.

Many schools are administering more tests than required under state and federal law. In addition to mandated tests, local school districts are administering their own array of standardized assessments, something the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction would like to cut back on.

http://www.inforum.com/news/education/4084860-not-less-better-testing-north-dakota-schools