Minnesota Lawmakers Prepare to Cut Down on Testing

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are sharpening their scissors to make more trims to standardized testing.

The Legislature has made a raft of changes to public school testing in recent years, including eliminating high school exit exams in 2013 and smaller cuts this year. But lawmakers aren't done.

A Senate education committee met Monday to discuss to how reduce how many standardized tests students have to take. Proponents argue they pull students away from more valuable class time.

Sen. Charles Wiger chairs the Senate's education committee. The Maplewood Democrat says reducing testing will be a top priority next year.

The effort in Minnesota could get a boost from President Barack Obama's weekend call to overhaul exams.