The Texas House voted 145-2 yesterday to reduce high-stakes testing, statesman.com reports. House Bill 5 won preliminary passage after a daylong debate, which sees the number of end-of-course exams needed for high school graduation dramatically reduced from 15 to five. Tests will still be required for algebra, biology, U.S. history and 10th-grade reading and writing.
The bill also increases flexibility for students by replacing the current “4×4” graduation plan (four years of English, math, science and social studies) with different paths to a diploma. However, some criticized the move for backing away from the rigorous requirements that have produced results in the past.