My understanding

As for you last statement I disagree and I feel it is a bit arrogant on your part.

The children do not learn everything on the test, they are being taught how to take the test. They are not far from difficult for children. Maybe to an adult the test would be easy but if you ask the 4th grade class that has to take them they would tell you otherwise. The children are also told time and time again how important these tests are adding more pressure on the day of the test. And if a child is a good student but a poor test taker than that child will not do well on a standardized test.

I understand the state's reason for these test but too much pressure is put on these children in regard to the outcome. They are children and children do not handle stress well. There are more tests than ever that are mandated by the state for elementary school children and as parents of school age children we should a bit more concerned instead of saying the tests are far from difficult.

Again when I was in school we had standardized testing, we were allowed to bring in a snack, juice and it wasn't such a big deal. We went to school and looked forward to getting out early. There was no emphasis on the outcome.