Some Kentucky education officials worry that President Bush's plan to test most elementary students every year in reading and math could disrupt the system already in place here.

        But Ohio education officials, who are developing similar annual testing programs, say they look forward to some kind of national plan.

        The Bush plan, announced last week, would require states to conduct annual tests in third through eighth grades in reading and math. The plan would allow the states to choose their tests, with the federal government financing them.

        Gov. Paul Patton, his education aide Ed Ford, and Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit plan to meet with Rod Paige, Bush's education secretary, to discuss their plans.

        Kentucky now spends $12 million a year testing children in grades 3 through 12. The tests are in different subjects each grade — grades 4, 7 and 10 are tested in reading, and grades 5, 8 and 11 in math. Third-graders take a national “basic skills” exam.

        Ohio uses proficiency tests in grades 4, 6, 9 and 12. The legislature and state Board of Education are looking at testing recommendations made by the Gov. Bob Taft's Commission for Student Success in December.

        “Ohio is maybe in a better postion than Kentucky because we are looking at changing our system right now,” said Patti Grey, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Education. “Part of the commission's recommendation is that we do take a look at every year, maybe not in every way the president has proposed.”

        Some educators said they hope Kentucky can stick to its system.

        “We've really been accustomed to accountability,” said Susan Cook, superintendent of Kenton County Schools. “I would hope the current system would be sufficient.”

        Mr. Wilhoit agrees.

        “For what we would gain, I think there would be a minimal benefit,” he said. “We would like them to have an answer for states that have a long history of assessments and accountability.”

        More tests would be overkill for students and for teachers, added Russell Sgro, principal of R.A. Jones Middle School in Florence.

        “We're testing kids to death,” he said. “It puts an awful lot of pressure on the teachers and the kids.”

        And another reading test would be redundant, Mr. Sgro said. At Jones Middle, students are tested repeatedly on reading, to keep track of their skill level throughout the school year.

        Other Kentucky educators said they like Mr. Bush's plan, which is based on a testing system he implemented when he was governor of Texas.

        “I think you'd be able to get a more valid and reliable idea of how a child is doing (in Bush's plan),” said Carolyn Hayes, principal of Rangeland Elementary in Jefferson County.

        The Bush administration has admitted the federal plan is not a one-size-fits-all plan. It calls for states to demonstrate students are making year-by-year progress.

        The Associated Press contributed to this story.
       

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