The 2 percent cap will allow many districts to keep important education programs for children in place in the coming year. Again, we are taking these steps because the Whitman administration is committed to making this formula as fair as possible. The foundation of our reform efforts is the rigorous academic standards that, with the help of the Legislature, were put in place four years ago. These standards will enable all children to learn at the same high level, so that they may be prepared for the challenges of our new century in college and in the workplace. We have also put in place a comprehensive assessment program that will enable us to know how well students are measuring up to the new, higher standards so that adjustments can be made to put them in a strong position to pass the 11 th grade high school graduation test.
Testing is never popular.
But it is absolutely necessary. Standards without assessments would be an abdication of responsibility and a great disservice to our children. We have not, and will not, turn a deaf ear to constructive criticism and suggestions about how our assessment program can be improved. Already, as a result of the input we have received from parents, educators, administrators and students we have instituted a number of changes that will improve our assessment system without sacrificing the essence of the program. We have shortened the 8 th grade test by 90 minutes and the 4 th grade test by 60 minutes.