April 9, 2025
By Drew Bancroft
Webmaster
The dread that comes with state testing is all too familiar for many. However, despite the stress that these exams bring, they are necessary.
High school graduation tests, which are overseen by the state, assess and measure college preparedness. The assessments encompass a range of skills and provide a comprehensive overview of how well students grasp the material taught in their classes.
Without these exams, knowing what areas students and schools need to improve upon would be impossible. As a result, educators might miss the opportunity to enhance their instruction or support students in areas in which they are struggling.
State tests are especially necessary in the wake of COVID-19.
According to Britannica, an English-language general knowledge encyclopedia, standardized test scores in the United States suffered a significant decline following the pandemic, with scores dropping to the lowest since 1990 in mathematics and the lowest in English since 2003.
Without these exams, knowing what areas students and schools need to improve upon would be impossible.
On a positive note, data from a 2024 report released by the American business magazine Forbes revealed that students in states including Massachusetts and New Jersey maintained the highest ACT and SAT scores, ranking first and third, respectively. Their success can be attributed to their rigorous academic standards and successful education policies.
Unfortunately, Massachusetts is abolishing its graduation test requirement following a ballot question on Election Day in November 2024. Over 2 million citizens, which is roughly 57% of eligible voters, voted to repeal the testing requirement, according to Ballotpedia, an online encyclopedia of American Politics. High schools will still administer the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, but students do not need a passing score to graduate.
Similarly, the cable news brand Spectrum News reported that New York state officials plan to abandon their exit exam requirements beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Passing scores will no longer be necessary for seniors to graduate and receive their diplomas.
This leaves just six states with graduation tests: Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Virginia.
Despite being in the minority, New Jersey should continue administering its graduation exam, the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment, because it helps maintain the state’s high standards, which carry into students’ performance in college.
In a study by the College Board, three-quarters of college faculty reported a drop in their students’ analytic, close reading and critical thinking skills following the pandemic. These results indicate that secondary schools must do a better job of preparing students for higher education. Graduation tests would help meet that goal by ensuring that only qualified students can progress to college.
Standardized tests are crucial in assessing college preparedness and holding students and teachers accountable. Without these state-administered benchmarks, students are more likely to suffer academically and be less prepared for their futures.
