State Testing In High Schools Is Changing

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois is down to just reading and arithmetic.

Writing skills will no longer be tested during the state’s standardized exams for high school juniors every spring. The Chicago Tribune reports that eliminating the writing exams will save about $2.4 million amid the state’s budgetary shortfalls.

Illinois had already dropped writing assessments for elementary and middle school students last year. State Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch says writing is one of the most expensive things to assess. And Koch says the state is trying to minimize the damage done by budget cuts.

Federal law doesn’t require or fund writing tests.