Despite teachers asking to cancel tests their students will most likely fail, the state is making students take them anyway. Oregon's teacher union estimated 35 to 40 percent of students will pass these new tests, but Schools Chief Rob Saxton refused to cancel them, reported The Oregonian. 

Saxton said he refused in fear of the state "lagging" behind other states switching to Common Core standards. 

"We need to do everything we can to equip our students with the knowledge and content and skill sets they need to be successful when they leave high school, whether for college or career," said Saxton. "The worst place for our student to fail is not on a test in schools but at the next step, which is life."

A group of Oregon teachers met earlier this month to set policies and other standards for the Oregon Education Association, and declared by a voice vote against the testing. 

"We're wanting there to be a thoughtful process before you implement a new standardized test so our students aren't set up for failure," said OEA president Hanna Vaandering. "Is there any rational reason why you would give an assessment that 65 percent of our students would fail?"

Read more here. 

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor