What do you guys think of field testing?

Are we going overboard with our field testing? Teachers complain that they spend more time teaching test taking techniques than the actual curriculum. I know Texas has adopted stricter policies reguarding field tests since I graduated. Now if students don't pass the test in fourth grade, they are held back. Where should we draw the line?

I think it's a crock of crap. Here in Florida we have the FCAt testing, in fourth grade AND eighth grade. Same thing, if they don't pass the test, they are held back.

I was the first year they 'tested' this on, and ALL I remember of 8th grade is reviewing for FCAT. That's literally all we learned. Nothing new, just the same crap over and over again for the test.

I think one of the worst parts about the FCAT is that the schools with the highest 'grades' get more funding. The schools with bad results get funding taken away. This just perpetuates the teachers to push the testing curriculum, so *they* get a personal bonus. It's also very sad for the schools with low-income students who don't come to school as much, or are hungry and can't concentrate. These schools will likely do worse and lose funding...when they need it the most.