Judge Upholds Ohio Test for Private Students

By Millicent Lawton

A federal judge in Cincinnati last week rejected a claim by private schools in Ohio that they should not have to give their students a graduation test mandated by the state.

The 32-page ruling by U.S. District Judge Herman J. Weber is believed to be the first time a federal court has weighed in on whether a state can force private schools to participate in statewide testing.

Taking part in Ohio's test is not too heavy a burden for private schools, the judge ruled, given the state's compelling interest in ensuring that its...