12 | NAIS
understanding of a subject which was taught
at earlier grade levels. The timing and test
material is inconsistent with the indepen-
dent school’s academic strategy, yet along
the way, the NAIS has frequently had to
battle against efforts that would force inde-
pendent schools to undergo the same test-
ing process. “There have been legislators, or
teacher unions, that claim our students have
an unfair advantage... they want us to take
the same test. It’s as if they’re saying, ‘We’re
miserable and have to teach to the govern-
ment’s tests, so why not do that to the private
schools too,” says Bassett.
While NAIS has secured federal rec-
ognition of the distinction between public
