TESTING TO CONFLICT WITH DAUGHTERS DAY.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

While girls nationwide join their parents Thursday for the sixth annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day, many Los Angeles students will be taking the Stanford 9 Achievement Tests instead.

The scheduling conflict forces some schools to limit participation in an activity they otherwise support.

``We hope that people will understand, and if they want to take their daughter to work after the test is over with, hey, that's great,'' said Michael Bennett, principal of Francis Parkman Middle School in Woodland Hills. ``But kids shouldn't be missing the test to go on this project.''

The annual event, sponsored by the Ms. Foundation For Women, encourages parents to bring their daughters to work in hopes of promoting self-esteem and professional goals among girls.

This year, California schools were required to administer the standardized Stanford 9 tests between April 20 and May 1. Aprenda testing for Spanish-speaking students also began Monday and ends May 8.

Ms. Foundation President Marie Wilson agreed that testing should come first and said she was pleased that schools are encouraging after-school participation.

``It sounds like the school district is saying, Tell them to do it in the afternoon after the test,'' she said. ``I think that's a great attitude. They're trying to coordinate the needs of the teachers and the needs of the students, and saying to the girls that their work future is very important.''

Although the school board endorsed the event at its March 23 board meeting, district officials told schools that tests should take precedence over the national event, said district spokesman Shel Erlich.

School district officials could not say how many schools will be holding the tests on Take Your Daughter To Work Day, but several San Fernando Valley schools contacted said the two events coincide.

Some school administrators said they would allow parents to bring their daughters to work after the testing, but said transportation difficulties might reduce participation.

``We are participating, and we've asked the parents to pick their children up after testing which is over around 10:30 a.m.,'' said Natalie Messinger, principal of Castlebay Lane School in Northridge.