Require administration of the ACT to public school students in grade eleven.
By requiring the ACT, HB1002 aligns state education assessments with national standards, potentially enhancing students' readiness for post-secondary education. This move could lead to improved educational outcomes by providing students with a measure of their academic skills as perceived on a standardized national scale. School districts will need to prepare to implement these changes, including covering testing fees, which may impact local budgeting decisions.
House Bill 1002 mandates that public school students in grade eleven must take the ACT, including the writing portion. The bill specifies that the registration fees for the ACT will be covered by the students' respective school districts, with reimbursements from the Department of Education funded through appropriations. This aims to ensure that all students have access to college readiness testing, which can aid in their academic progress and future educational opportunities.
The bill may face contention regarding the financial implications for school districts, particularly ones that are already operating under tight budgets. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the fairness of requiring a standardized test, particularly for students who may have individual education plans and might be exempt from such assessments. Additionally, there could be discussions about the overall emphasis on standardized testing in education policy.