Return to Voluntary National Test Home
Voluntary national tests would tell parents and teachers how students are doing at key points in their education. With this information, parents and teachers could help students master basic reading and mathematics skills.
Literacy is a basic skill that all children need to survive. Through the America Reads Challenge, President Clinton has asked that we help all children learn how to read independently by the end of 3rd grade. Voluntary national tests in 4th grade reading would help parents and teachers continue to monitor children's reading skills.
Learning some algebra and geometry by the end of 8th grade prepares students for demanding mathematics courses in high school. Mathematics Equals Opportunity shows that taking these courses increases students' chances of attending college and earning high incomes. The Department of Education and the National Science Foundation have developed an Action Strategy to give all kids the opportunity to reap the benefits of developing high mathematics skills. Voluntary national tests in 8th grade mathematics would further this effort by helping students get the preparation needed for taking challenging mathematics courses in high school.
-###-