The Post Primary Teachers Association also issued a position paper on the issue yesterday in a bid to inform debate on national standards and steer the country away from "assessment mania", said PPTA president Kate Gainsford.
Mrs Tolley said reported suggestions $26 million was being spent to win over parents were wrong.
"$26 million has been made available to provide training and support to teachers, principals and boards of trustees to help with the implementation of standards in reading, writing and maths," she said.
"This is in addition to the $36 million over four years which will be used to support schools which have identified students who need help.
"It shows the commitment this Government has to improving the lives of the one in five students who leave school without the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed."
But Ms Gainsford said the PPTA's paper looked at the dangers of the Goverment's standards in a country that "already over-assesses".
"Excessive monitoring does not improve teaching and learning. A child is more than a test score.
"Plain English and informative reporting is a good thing for teachers, parents and students. You don't need expensive national standards to do this.
"The money would be better spent on more one-on-one time and smaller classes to help pick up the students that are falling behind," Ms Gainsford said.
Mrs Tolley lost the tertiary education part of her portfolio this week so she could put more effort into implementing national standards.
Unions and education representatives have expressed frustration at Mrs Tolley's apparent lack of engagement with the sector over issues facing them.
The PPTA paper can be found on the organisation's website.
