New Assessment Exam For 8th Graders

The Collegeboard has announced that it will offer an 8th grade assessment exam starting in 2009. Preliminary reports predict the test will be similar to the PSAT and will test reading, math and writing. The exam was created because middle schools requested a specific exam tailored to 8th graders. So the college preparation process begins earlier and earlier. What ever happened to allowing children to be children? Are we creating a nation of robotic test takers? Is the purpose of school to develop young minds or to teach kids how to ace a standardized test?