Mich. House Passes Bill To Revise High School Testing Program

By Robert C. Johnston

Responding to parent concerns, the Michigan House passed legislation last week that would significantly alter the state's high school proficiency test.

Hundreds of parents refused to let their 11th grade children take the four-part test in February, arguing that it was too time-consuming and that it unfairly labeled students who performed poorly on the test. ( "Mich. Schools Warned Not To Excuse Pupils From Test," April 30, 1997.)

The eight bills that made up the reform package enjoyed bipartisan support in the Democrat-controlled House. The bills will be taken up next month by...