Over Half of Americans Think There's Too Much Emphasis on Standardized Tests

Over half of likely U.S. voters believe there's too great an emphasis on standardized tests, according to a new Rasmussen Reports poll.

The poll found 54 percent of likely voters believe there's too much emphasis on standardized tests in American schools, a number that's jumped 5 points since November. Only 17 percent said there was not enough emphasis on standardized tests in schools.

When it came to whether or not students should be required to take standardized tests, responses were almost evenly mixed. Forty-five percent said students should be required to take the tests, while a slightly lower amount -- 44 percent -- said they should not.

Standardized testing has, over the years, become an increasingly common way for schools to measure their academic successes, but most voters don't see that as the case.More than half of voters (59 percent) believe how students perform on standardized tests shouldn't be a major factor in how well a school is doing. Almost a third -- 26 percent -- said standardized tests should be a major factor in determining how well a school is doing.

The survey of 1,000 American adults was conducted June 21-22 by Rasmussen Reports.