New Jersey's 'reveal a secret' third-grade test question: The fallout

Parents complain after kids are asked to share something they're hiding. Is that an inappropriate question for a standardized test?

A standardized test question asking New Jersey third graders to reveal a secret appeared on the tests of about 4,000 kids in 15 school districts.
(Image credit: Courtesy Shutterstock)

State education officials in New Jersey got an earful from parents recently after third graders were given a standardized test question asking them to reveal a secret and explain why it was hard to keep. Several parents complained that the question was inappropriate for 8-year-olds. The state Department of Education reviewed the test, and agreed, promising that the question wouldn't be used in the future. How did such a controversial question wind up on a standardized test in the first place? Here's what you should know:

How many kids answered this question?

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