NYC: Test topics should avoid aliens, Halloween

Companies that want to come up with the tests used to measure New York City students' progress are being advised to stay away from topics including aliens and vermin.

A Department of Education list of subjects to avoid also includes: junk food, birthdays, abuse, terrorism, holidays and Halloween.

The department included the list in a recently issued request for proposals to create the tests used to measure student progress in math, science, literacy and social studies. It says the listed topics could "evoke unpleasant emotions" or "appear biased."

Companies have until April 23 to submit their proposals.