Here’s a math problem that Louisiana high schoolers might enjoy solving: Six mandatory state tests minus two.
Beginning in 2028, high schoolers will take one comprehensive test in math and one in English, down from two tests in each subject, state Department of Education officials said. The current civics and biology tests will continue, for a total of four state tests instead of six.
The comprehensive English assessment will replace separate English I and English II end-of-course exams, while the math assessment will replace separate Algebra I and geometry tests. Students will take both comprehensive tests in 10th grade.
The changes will not affect Louisiana’s graduation requirements, which require high schoolers to pass at least three state exams. But they will cut down on mandatory testing.
“Through doing this,” said state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, “we will have significantly reduced the amount of time that students are taking standardized tests in the state of Louisiana and provided more time for instruction.”
The proposed high school changes, which the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will consider next month, are the state’s latest effort to trim testing. The math and English tests that students in grades 3-8 took last school year were about 20% shorter, and beginning in 2028 students in those grades will no longer take a state social studies test every year.
Still there are limits to how much the state can cut. Under federal law, students must be tested in English, math and science at least once during high school. And students’ scores on the state tests, which measure their mastery of Louisiana’s learning standards, also are used to evaluate teachers and grade schools.
“I fundamentally believe we need to assess because we need accurate information to drive instructional decisions, policy decisions and financial decisions,” Brumley said. “But I also believe that we have tested more aggressively than we need to.”
Move comes amid change to standards
State officials said the timing is right to develop new high school tests because the state is revamping its English and math standards, which list the skills and knowledge students are supposed to acquire at each grade level. The new standards are scheduled to take effect next school year.
Louisiana requires students to pass three tests to graduate: one in English, one in math and one in biology or civics.
Officials also say that system can have an unintended consequence: Students who pass the English I and Algebra I end-of-course tests might see less of a need to pass English II or geometry.
“We have heard loud and clear from various stakeholders that once a student passes one of those exams for exit purposes, there is less motivation to do as well,” said Thomas Lambert, who oversees assessment for the state education department, during a recent meeting with district superintendents.
Officials hope that testing students in math and reading at the end of 10th grade will keep them engaged in their classes.
While the state is slashing the number of tests, it isn’t touching the requirement that students pass three exams to earn a diploma. Louisiana is one of just six states — Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Virginia are the others — where graduation is tied to test scores.
Most other states have moved away from graduation exams, which critics say aren’t an accurate predictor of future success and put students with disabilities and those still learning English at a disadvantage. But Brumley said he has no intention of ending exit exams: “Not under my watch.”
He argued that test scores are a better measure of student learning than course grades due to “grade inflation,” which has made it easier for students to earn high marks. And he said that making graduates pass several exams signals to colleges and employers the quality of Louisiana’s high school diploma.