House votes to remove graduation requirement to pass tests

Jeff Amy, Associated Press
State news

JACKSON — Mississippi public high school students would no longer have to pass four subject-area exams to graduate under a bill moving forward in the Legislature.

House members voted 119-0 Thursday to pass House Bill 665.

That measure would continue to require giving tests in algebra, biology, English and U.S. history. But students wouldn't have to pass them to graduate.

House Bill 385, passed by the House earlier, would eliminate the history and biology tests.

Both bills need more work by the Senate.

Many local superintendents have been pushing to end the tests, saying a new requirement to give the ACT college exam to all juniors is a better option.

However, state Superintendent Carey Wright supports the tests, saying they cover different things and assure parents of what their children have learned.