By Alabama Public Radio
Washington DC – The US Education Department says Alabama and 33 other states have major problems with student tests that were supposed to be in place by the previous school year. The No Child Left Behind Act orders states to hold math and reading tests in the third- to eighth-grade, and once in high school. If those test aren't in place, states face the threat of losing federal education funding. The money would go instead to school districts, skipping state governments altogether. Every state did have testing in the required grades. But many states still have significant problems, such as developing exams for disabled or limited-English students, or ensuring that tests are technically sound.