Fewer Required Tests For Minnesota Students

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Students will take significantly fewer statewide tests after Minnesota lawmakers cut the state's testing budget in half earlier this month.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the Legislature reduced the Minnesota Department of Education's testing budget from $42 million in the last two-year cycle to $22 million for the next two years.

Lawmakers repealed several high school tests and stopped funding for the ACT college entrance exam for juniors. They also decided to end the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment GRAD tests in writing, reading and math and the Explore, Plan and Compass ACT tests a year earlier.

The department still is examining the education bill to see how the changes ordered by lawmakers will affect statewide assessments.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests taken annually by students in third through eighth grade will remain in place.