Michigan Principals Voice Concerns Over More Tests

DETROIT (AP) - Education officials in Michigan are concerned that an increase in testing for high school juniors will lead to problems this spring.

Some principals say testing time will nearly be doubled or tripled, from three days of tests to between five and eight days. They believe classroom instruction will be affected because teachers will be forced to alter lessons.

Stephen Bigelow, principal of Cousino High School in Warren Consolidated Schools, says the exams will be "incredibly disruptive."

A deputy superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education says although this much testing isn't ideal, the state cannot decide which law it doesn't want to obey.

The Detroit Free Press reports additional tests have been developed to align with the Common Core, new uniform national education standards, which were recently adopted in Michigan.