Guest Post by Robert Jeffers

With Congress working on a rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known, in its current form, as the No Child Left Behind Act), debate over provisions like the Lee Amendment #2162 on mandated testing has spotlighted the opt-out movement. Regardless of how Congress and our politicians vote, until we reimagine testing more parents will continue to "vote" their displeasure by putting their pencils down for standardized tests. 

However, opt-out isn't the only growing movement in the testing game. Each year, millions of students "opt in" to voluntary advanced testing programs like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, thereby sending a different message: Testing can provide valuable opportunities to the students who participate. 

Still, over the last two years the opt-out movement has gained considerable traction and attention in states across the country. Why? It depends on whom you ask.

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