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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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC