Tougher Testing Could Prompt ‘Standards Anxiety’

State officials are warning the families of Tennessee students to brace themselves for higher standards in testing early this fall. They’re traveling the state this week to say despite tougher scoring, students aren’t actually backsliding.

State officials say raising expectations will be ‘uncomfortable,’ that the apparent drop in scores could be a ‘shock’ and might lead to what they called ‘standards anxiety.’

But state education commissioner Tim Webb says tougher scoring will pay off by putting Tennessee students on track to compete nationally.

“For the first time in many, many years, we in Tennessee are being honest – truly honest – with our students and our families about their proficiency levels. And for the first time, even more importantly, or as importantly, for the first time our standards in Tennessee will match or exceed those of national standards and assessments.”

Webb says it’s too soon for specifics, but the state will hold more schools accountable for poor results.

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Officials have been warning about the tougher scoring for months. This week Governor Phil Bredesen and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist are continuing the campaign over higher standards in Knoxville and Memphis.