As previously reported in TQB Alabama has spent the past few months (not to mention decades) struggling with the need to make teachers take tests, in order to accommodate the requirements in NCLB. Teacher testing had been illegal since the early 1980's, thrown out by the Alabama courts for their alleged discrimination against minorities. In September, the state neared an agreement that would allow prospective teachers to be tested, only to have it rejected by "concerned trustees" at Alabama State University. However a few revisions have satisfied the trustees. Although the state will still have the right to decide upon both the test offered and the passing score, state concessions will give some oversight authority to a panel of outside experts. In addition, ASU students have been revised into the court case as representatives of all future teachers in voicing concern over the policy shift.

The only obstacles to testing that remain are a vote by the Alabama Board of Education and approval from U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson. Since both are expected to pass handily, it looks like the Yellowhammer State had better start sharpening its Number 2 pencils.