Mark Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential the Alliance for Quality Education is urging parents to consider opting their children out of state standardized tests this month. AQE is a pro-public education group with support of the New York State United Teachers. It sent an email blast Mon., Apr. 6, about opt outs. In the email the group wrote that too much emphasis is being placed on high-stakes testing, forcing teachers to teach to the tests too often. AQE’s plea comes just a week after New York State United Teachers President Karen Magee came out in support of parents opting their kids out of standardized tests. Exams for students in grades 3 through 8 will be administered between April 14 and April 24. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.