A 2026 study of 67 school districts across 38 U.S. states found no relationship between the number of required tests and students’ English or math performance or progress. Before high school, the median number of state- and district-required tests was 57, meaning the middle value. Some students took as many as 88.
Public schools must test reading and math annually in grades three through eight and at least once in high school. Results can influence school ratings and state decisions about struggling districts. Testing has also shaped classroom schedules. From 2001 to 2007, many districts increased time for English and math, while 44% reduced time for other subjects or activities, including the arts. A law introduced in 2015 aimed to reduce testing’s classroom role, but tests continue to influence teaching.
Preparation adds to the time commitment. In a 2016 survey, 62% of public school teachers said they spent too much time preparing students for required state tests. Teachers reported an average of 14 preparation days within a 180-day school year. Research has also identified dissatisfaction with standardized testing as an important reason teachers leave the profession. A separate 2026 study found lower job satisfaction among teachers who worried that test results could have consequences for their jobs.
