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KY State Testing Begins

By Lisa Autry

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky students will notice some changes to statewide testing procedures this week thanks to the 2009 General Assembly's new legislation. Senate Bill One, which Governor Beshear signed into law in March, abolishes the CATS test and implements a new state test starting in the 2011-2012 school year. Lisa Gross of the Kentucky Department of Education says students will be tested in reading, math, science, and social studies, but some areas are dropped from this year's test.

"Those are arts and humanities and practical living vocational studies. Schools do have the option to administer those tests if they wish but they are not required to do that. Also, students are not required to turn in writing portfolios, but they can do that if they wish."

Gross adds that schools won't be held accountable on the state level, but students are being tested to meet requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.