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Teachers Upset New State Budget Supports High-Stakes Testing

San Diego school district officials are breathing a sigh of relief now that California lawmakers passed a budget. But some teachers are upset legislators are funding a second grade testing program. KP

Teachers Upset New State Budget Supports High-Stakes Testing

San Diego school district officials are breathing a sigh of relief now that California lawmakers passed a budget. But some teachers are upset legislators are funding a second grade testing program. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

California's budget fully funds the state's public school system this year. That means the San Diego school district should be getting enough state funding to support its $2 billion spending plan. That makes the local teachers union happy. However, they aren't pleased with funding that keeps the state's second grade testing program alive. San Diego teachers union president Camille Zombro say 7-year-old students are too young to take high-stakes tests.

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Zombro: A standardized test requires a great deal of attention -- and attention to detail in particular, which is not really the realm and the world of 7 year olds.  

The exam measures the reading skills of second graders. Meanwhile, state education officials applaud the move, saying the program keeps students from falling behind in the early grades.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.