No More Nap Time

By Mitch Frank

Educators all across the U.S. are struggling to find tests that hold students and schools accountable, yet are fair. Here's a sampling of states and what they're doing:

ALABAMA How hard are kids in Mobile working to reach high standards? Kindergarteners now face a longer school day with no more nap time

CALIFORNIA Test scores for bilingual students appear to be rising fastest at schools that immediately embraced the state mandate to teach only in English

FLORIDA Most teachers think the state test is well crafted but say it's self-defeating to cut funds for schools that score poorly

MARYLAND A state board uses test results to rate schools and hand out bonuses. But the test, written and scored by teachers, includes essays and problem-solving

TENNESSEE School funding and teachers' jobs hinge on student performance on state tests. One middle school replaced study hall with test-prep sessions

TEXAS Its 10-year program is still evolving. High schoolers must pass a test to graduate, and soon kids will have to pass to be promoted

VERMONT Schools here assess kids not only with a state exam but also by reviewing portfolios of their writing, math and other schoolwork

WASHINGTON Teachers complained that the fourth-grade math test was too long and hard, so the exam will be shortened and may be given over several days

WISCONSIN Amid parent protests, the state dropped its graduation test requirement; it now also considers grades, classwork and teacher evaluations