Option 2- Research Studies

If I had the means to research any topic related to education, I would like to look at assessment in the elementary grades. These days, too much emphasis is placed on standardized testing, and I feel that our kids are over-tested. Teachers are "teaching to the test" and no one takes into consideration what our children may have faced that morning. We look at unsatisfactory test scores and automatically blame the teachers and the children. Could it have been that the child didn't get enough sleep the night before, missed breakfast, isn't feeling well, or is going through family troubles? I would like to look at other countries and how they view or carry out testing, and their findings.