Running Out of Steam?

I'm probably being too optimistic, but I'm starting to think the testing juggernaut is running out of steam. Here's today's evidence:

House Votes to End Test Central to GOP's Shift on Head Start
By Valerie Strauss
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 3, 2007; Page A07

The House dealt a blow to President Bush's chief early-childhood initiative yesterday, voting to end the standardized testing of 4-year-olds, which was at the heart of his efforts to refocus Head Start.

A Test Everyone Will Fail
By Gerald W. Bracey
Washington Post
Thursday, May 3, 2007; Page A25

The world of education is a world of tests these days. But why should tests be only for students? Here's one for policymakers, politicians and adults in general. Bet you don't pass.

And finally, from a column by Diane Ravitch in The Huffington Post ("Let's Fix the Schools"), this remark: "Let's ease up on the testing mania and put the emphasis where it belongs: on providing a great education."