Governor Pat McCrory Addresses State Board of Education

Press Release

This afternoon Governor Pat McCrory offered remarks about student testing before the North Carolina State Board of Education.

As part of North Carolina's Race to the Top plan that was adopted last year, 30 new tests are now given to public school students in grades 4-12. This brings the total number of tests this school year to 194.

"I am very much in favor of having high standards for all students, however, this amount of testing seems excessive and actually takes away from the rigor and focus that our teachers and students need to be successful," Governor Pat McCrory said . "I recently met with a group of superintendents and what resonated from our conversation was the need to take a hard look at the excessive testing that is happening across our state. We must allow teachers to teach and not be burdened by too many tests."

Governor McCrory asked Senior Education Adviser Eric Guckian to re-examine the testing situation and review the entire Race to the Top grant proposal. North Carolina received $400 million in federal funds for K-12 education to enhance student achievement. The report will offer what's working with Race to the Top and suggest eliminating what is not effective.

"We must have limited, valid testing for our students that measures results," Governor McCrory said.

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