The standards are unrealistically high. Tests are unfair. African-American and Hispanic students fail in large numbers. Tests cause unhealthy anxiety for students. They fear failing a test that could fail them for an entire year of school.
Tests have questions about values.
There's too much testing. And it may be the best route educators and government officials have to public acceptance of the tests and engagement in their refinement. Showing a few sample test questions or a practice exam will not do. We should show the public and parents nearly all of the test questions used or an entire form of the test, year after year, and we should show them how well students did with the various test questions. For parents, the best plan is that they see their children's actual tests, along with the children's answers.