Leaders should take test

As parents, we have become increasingly concerned about the amount of testing our children are doing at school, and about the new Smarter Balanced test. Our children are good readers, proficient writers, and solid critical thinkers. They are intelligent and their futures are bright.

So it worries us that they are coming home from school feeling just the opposite. Their curiosity and love of learning have been devoured by their worry about not passing the state tests, about becoming failures.

Before subjecting our children – all of our children – to any more testing, it is time for public officials to experience what our children are enduring. We urge Gov. Jay Inslee, Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, state legislators, school leaders and community leaders to take the entire high school Smarter Balanced high-stakes test and publicly share your results. Don’t worry, unlike for our children, your results won’t impact your future.

Greg and Stacy Maddigan

Spokane