The states would have three years to develop and implement these assessments. The federal government will cover the cost of developing these assessments. While both of these changes might seem modest, they represent a major boost in the amount of testing information available to educators and will require a considerable increase in the investment we, as a nation, make in student assessment. Some states, but not all, test their students in grades three through eight every year. While no one argues with the value of annual exams, states have generally elected to test students every three or four years.
Testing is expensive.
Although costs vary from state to state, testing is more expensive than most appreciate. Another challenge will be to change how the NAEP is structured. Along with providing a sample of student achievement in a variety of subjects, the program will now begin to sample performance in reading and math every year. Under the Bush plan, all states will participate in these state samplings. Not only is cost a factor when discussing a more aggressive testing system, but the time it takes to develop new tests or redesign existing ones also comes into consideration.