U.S. Students Face Up to 88 Standardized Tests Before High School, Yet No Learning Gains

A 2026 study of 67 school districts found that students take a median of 57 state‑ and district‑required assessments before high school, with some districts administering as many as 88 tests. The research shows no link between the number of tests and students’ proficiency or growth in English or mathematics. Teachers report spending an average of 14 of 180 school days—and in some cases more than a month—preparing students for these exams, often at the expense of other subjects such as the arts. The heavy testing load stems from policies like No Child Left Behind and the Every Student Succeeds Act, which tie test results to school ratings and state oversight. The result is a curriculum that prioritizes test preparation over broader learning, contributing to teacher dissatisfaction and higher turnover.