We’re sure parents and students are thunderously applauding after approval last week by the Hamilton County Board of Education of only four benchmark tests for third through 12th grade students in two subjects during the 2026-2027 school year.
But the hard part — determining whether the two tests apiece, in English language arts and math, clearly show whether students have mastered state academic standards in the subjects and show readiness for the statewide Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests — is yet to come.
If they don’t show the necessary mastery, will teachers insist on more testing? Will parents demand it?
For years, parents and some teachers have been saying students are tested too much. All the testing, they said, leaves the students anxious.