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New 'No Child Left Behind' tests to cost $1.9 to $5.3 billion, report finds
05/08/2003 11:23 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tests mandated for the nation's students will cost $1.9 billion to $5.3 billion over the next seven years, according to the investigative arm of Congress.

Whether the burden falls on the federal government or the states - taxpayer money, either way - depends on what kinds of tests schools use, the General Accounting Office report says.

By 2005-06, all states must test students in grades three though eight in math and reading annually, and at least once during high school grades. The No Child Left Behind law also requires a science test at least once in elementary, middle and high school by 2007-08.

The report says if all states use multiple-choice tests only, the cost would be the low estimate of $1.9 billion. That's less than the $2.34 billion Congress must provide for testing under existing law.

"If a state elects to go with the Ferrari version of testing instead of the Chevrolet version required under No Child Left Behind Act, that cannot be blamed on the act," David Schnittger, spokesman for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said Thursday. "The bottom line is, every testing requirement is paid for."