Standardized tests are criticized for narrowing the curriculum, but they also give a common metric to compare schools and students across regions. I teach at a school where test prep takes up months, and I often wonder what we sacrifice in creativity. On the other hand, without tests, how do we ensure educational accountability? Some propose portfolio-based assessment, but that can be subjective and expensive to implement fairly. Is there a middle ground that reduces teaching to the test while still maintaining high standards?