SAGE Testing

I do not believe in giving standardized tests to elementary students.  I think we should leave it up to the teachers to assure that the kids are learning.  Trust them, they know what is going on!  So, this $$$ new financial testing adventure to the all ready overwhelming cost of common core is SAGE.  Maybe, it is better than filling in stupid bubbles.  But testing is testing. My big concern comes in this statement, "Teachers will still give SAGE tests in the spring, but they’ll have the option to give them in the fall and winter as well so they can see students’ progress."  Schools around the U.S. have become overwhelmed with testing mania, and are trying to get out of all the tests.  Why do we jump on the bandwagon with a bad idea?  Why are our legislatures pushing laws in education to spend a lot of money when there is backlash in the states for the exact legislation they are pushing.  It is stupid!  Why are we not smart and say, "Hey, this is not working in other states, let's avoid this battle road!"  And what is the big deal about collecting data on little kids.  Learning and growing up takes times.  For a grown up, it is like jumping on the scale every morning to see if you lost any weight!  SAGE - Computer Adaptive Testing :(