NJ Education Officials OK Tougher Graduation Requirements
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey students will soon have to pass two standardized tests to be eligible to graduate high school.
The state Board of Education adopted the new requirements on Wednesday. Students will now have to pass the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers tests in Algebra 1 and 10th-grade English language arts to get their diplomas.
The new requirement takes effect with students entering eighth grade this fall, or the high school class of 2021.
The vote came a day after state officials announced that a higher percentage of students had met or exceeded expectations on the tests.
Some teachers, unions and parents groups have opposed the test, in part because it continually ratchets up the stakes for students and schools. Some students and parents boycotted it.
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