Standardized Testing Reduction for Texas Students

As of now Texas has 15 standardized tests that high school students are required to pass in order to receive their diplomas. Recently The Texas House has approved 145-2 which will reduce this number to five tests. Many people though out the state ranging from parents to professional education administrators approve of this reduction in accountability. They argue that not all children will go to college and by doing this they will decrease the drop-out rate. The counter argument is that by reducing the requirements it will leave the students interested in receiving a higher education ill prepared. I can see both sides of these arguments.

On one hand, lowering the demands on students will make it easier to graduate. It also may reduce the cost it requires to make and administer the tests. But, on the other hand, the transition from high school is difficult especially if the proper preparation is not learned. By lowering these standards classes such as, Algebra II and any science courses, will no longer be required. In my experience, those classes are imperative to a college degree; you will not obtain a degree of any type without those core classes.

If it were in my hands I would implement a duel curriculum option. The students could assess what their future education priorities will be. They would have the ability to choose either a trade program or a college entry program. The trade program would give them the appropriate curriculum to aide them in a successful completion of a certificate program, even if they later chose not to achieve any type of higher education they would still have the fundamentals to be hired into a skilled job. The college entry program would give suggestions to help assist the student to be better prepared for their intended college path. Both curriculums would include mandatory visits with an educational advisor to assure that the student are fulfilling the requirements necessary for their success and allow them to alter their coarse if they decide it would better suit their interest.  

I have never felt the Texas standardized testing is necessary at any k-12 level. I believe that my system would be a better way to obtain a higher level of high school graduates. Plus, there would be less time wasted drilling them to do well in these test and more time actually learning what they will need for a successful future.