Benchmarks are to help teachers plan where they need to reteach, move on from , or extend extra help to kids. They don't tell the state of NC whether or not you are ready for the next grade. Dr. Spencer has the final say on whether a student passes, but she takes into account lots of things, including what your teachers think. So while she does make that decision, she doesn't do it alone! We don't have a choice about testing. Our government demands it, our state demands it, and so all we can do as teachers and students is to do our very, very best!!!