By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) spoke to students at Kingsley Jr. High School Friday afternoon.

When asked his stance on standardized testing, Barickman said the ways students are being tested is “messed up.”

“The system has been created that results in too many tests, over testing, and teachers and instructors feeling as if they need to change their curriculum to prepare to the test,” he said.

Barickman has long said the standardized testing system needs to be re-examined.

While Barickman was happy to speak to the students, he said the visit probably wouldn’t have worked out if not for the Illinois Senate session being cancelled Friday.

“President Cullerton said we’re cancelled. That’s the short answer and the truthful one,” said Barickman. “But I think we all know the reality is we have major issues ahead of us. We’re not where we need to be. I’m very concerned that we’re not going to get there in the short term.”

Barickman added this one day out of session might not mean much in the long run, but he said the public expects them to be at work. Legislators are scheduled to end this session on May 31.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].