Bill to end testing for younger kids advances

ATLANTA --- Georgia's first- and second-graders are one step closer to not having to take standardized tests.

A bill eliminating the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests before third grade passed the House Education Committee on a 14-5 vote on Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Casas, a Republican from Lilburn, cuts testing not required under the federal No Child Left Behind law and saves $1.5 million in test administration costs.

Casas said his aim is eventually to eliminate all unnecessary testing in Georgia. State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox has expressed support for the move.

Critics worry that not testing in early grades would make students less competitive with their peers nationally and would make them less prepared for testing in third grade.