State Rep. says kids spending too much time testing
OBION COUNTY, Tenn. — State Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, thinks students in Tennessee have to take too many state-mandated tests. “These kids are subject to four, five, six weeks of testing, and I think that could have a severe detraction from the education process,” Holt said. Friday morning, Holt planned to take a standardized state practice test to see how tough it is, but the Tennessee Department of Education wouldn’t allow it. “I’m here trying to understand why the Commissioner of Education, Ms. McQueen, would choose to interfere with a local matter,” Obion County resident and former commissioner Trena Taylor said. Holt showed up at Hillcrest Elementary anyway, using his time instead to meet with district leaders. “To come and see what the students are actually being expected to do and accomplish in a short amount of time,” Principal Patresa Rogers said. Holt said he doesn’t believe the problem lies within the school system but within the state’s system. Leaders said they do have hope after Friday’s conversations. “Educators want people from different aspects that affect education and actually see it in the school,” Rogers said. Obion County officials said students take practice tests in the fall and the TCAP test in February. Holt said the next step is to meet with the state’s education commission about how standards can change to better fit the classroom.
