The state Senate Education Committee voted unanimously Monday to eliminate high school end-of-instruction tests. Oklahoma high schoolers currently have to pass 4 out of 7 high-stakes EOI exams to graduate.
Under Senate Bill 1170, these state-mandated tests would go away, and school districts could choose their own assessment, if it’s approved by the State Board of Education.
"Examples would be an ACT, an SAT, and maybe an Iowa [Test of] Basic [Skills], the bill’s author, state Sen. John Ford said.
The northeast Oklahoma Republican chairs the Education Committee, and says eliminating the end-of-instruction tests will save millions of dollars and will help address the concern that students are over tested.
“It really puts the responsibility of the local district, and the local teacher to certify if that student has mastered the content of those courses,” Ford said.
Ford says it will also give teachers more time for classroom instruction. The bill now goes to the full Senate.
