Is Testing a Requirement of US Citizenship?

Throughout the US, from New York to Tennessee to Arizona, authorities are making the argument that taking tests is one of the requirements of citizenship, trumping parental rights, and the deep reservations teachers, parents and students might have about the excessive and inappropriate use of testing as an instrument of public policy. Such a position not only expands stretches the Constitution beyond recognition, it sends a chilling message regarding what citizenship entails. Do we want to live in a society where government officials use Public Education as a Theater of Intimidation? As Dr King told us on numerous occasions, and taught us through his actions, the right to protest is part of the lifeblood of democracy. When faced with public officials who seek to punish children and families who refuse tests, and limit the freedom of educators to speak out against testing, we are not only defending our children and our schools, we are standing up for what is best in American traditions. The Bullies must not triumph.