Teachers in Minnesota Seek Test Clause in Contract

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - St. Paul teachers are battling the crush of student testing by seeking a contract clause curtailing standardized assessments.

The unusual bargaining item is part of contract talks, but there appears to be little chance that district leaders will consent. If they do, reports say the district and possibly the state could face sanctions.

St. Paul Federation of Teachers president Mary Cathryn Ricker says too much time is spent preparing students for the mandatory tests in grades three through eight. Teachers want the district to come up with its own testing regimen and discuss how those assessments are used.

St. Paul's chief academic officer says contract negotiations aren't the proper venue and says the district won't violate state and federal law with such a clause.