School test-refusal legislation gets a hearing at the Capitol

Lawmakers at the Capitol asked tough questions about a parent-backed bill that would solidify a child’s right to refuse to take some school tests.

One mom said her daughter gets so nervous during the school year that she tugs all her hair out and must wear a wig. Another said parents in her north Fulton County neighborhood are ditching public school for private because of all the classroom time spent on test prep.

But Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, said “testing is the only thing that we’ve got to hold the teachers’ and the school systems’ feet to the fire to show that we’re getting results.”

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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com