A new bill in the state house would eliminate one mandated test for Michigan high schoolers.
The bill would remove the ACT WorkKeys, a test intended to assess students workplace readiness, from the state’s mandated list.
Republican Representative John Reilly is a bill sponsor. He said the test is redundant to other exams already being used.
“A lot of it is just mathematical calculations and using story problems. A person who graduates from High School already has those capabilities just through the mat or other classes that he’s had.”
Reilly said school administrators raised questions about the state’s ongoing use of the test.
“This was brought up to us by the superintendents in Oakland County. They basically said this is a test that they are not using - or they are using but they don’t see a need for it.”
Reilly said he can’t speak to other districts but he thinks overall the state’s money is better spent.
The state currently has a 3 year, $12 million contract with the ACT for the test.
Reilly said removing the requirement is also about returning local control to Michigan’s school districts.
“This may help to reduce the number of mandates that the state puts on local school districts. I believe in local control and I believe if the school district wants to still run it they can and this would give them the option to do that.”
Reilly said he is hopeful the bill will move quickly through the legislature.