Over Testing in Middle Schools

1.http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/1-state-law-1-federal-law-2-math-tests-for-4781738.php?t=4c08748757
2. Category: Education
3. Level of problem/issue: state level
4. The article concerns: Texas students, mostly concerning eighth grade algebra students, being double tested. This issue is being creating from the federal No Child Left Behind law.
5. Why is this important to families/individuals OR how does it affect individuals/families?
             --Under the federal No Child Left Behind law students are requires to take an annual test in the third grade through the eighth grade and once in high school. "Students who take algebra in middle school will not have a high school math test available because state lawmakers eliminated the exams for higher-level geometry and Algebra II." This will cause eighth-grade student taking algebra classes to take the state's eighth-grade math test, as well as the algebra test.
6. What are your views on the issue/policy?
             --My middle school years are close enough that I can remember how taunting they were. It is the first time where I can remember worrying about test scores. Making an eighth grader who is achieving more then the norm and making them take another standardized test is not acceptable. They are already under enough pressure from their teachers, parents and themselves on having to pass the original exam. For Texas and federal law makers to put more strain on these students is not going to go over well. Some state officials thankfully are awaiting word from the U.S. Department of Education, hoping Texas will get a waiver from the law. I hope that the waiver will come through. I think that one exam is enough to test their abilities in the subject at hand.  Double testing will only affect subjects like Algebra and IPC, since eighth graders are able to take these classes. At my middle school, I was on of the "lucky" few who were able to be in those classes. If I were in middle school now, I would have opted out of taking high school level classes early. Double testing will not affect the subjects of reading. This is not fair. To single out certain students because of their abilities to be able to comprehend high school level subjects at a young age should not be commended by over testing. This issue could cause problems in middle schools and in high schools. Middle school students will not want to take classes, such as Algebra and IPC because of the double testing. That might cause middle school teachers teaching those subjects to loose their jobs. Then, the problem could trickle up to the upper level math and science teachers in high schools. They could possibly loose their jobs because students are not able to take the upper level courses. All around, doubling testing should not be mandated.