• too much
school time is given over to test prep — and the pressure to lift scores leads to cheating and
other unsavory practices; • subjects and accomplishments that aren't tested — art, creativity, leadership, independent thinking, etc. — are getting squeezed if not
discarded; • teachers are losing their freedom to practice their craft, to make classes interesting and stimulating, and to act like professionals; • the curricular homogenizing that generally follows from standardized tests and state (or national) standards represents an undesirable usurpation of
school autonomy, teacher freedom, and local control
by distant authorities; and • judging teachers and
schools by pupil test scores is inaccurate and unfair, given the kids» different starting points and home circumstances, the variation in class sizes and
school resources, and the many
other services that
schools and teachers are now expected to provide their students.