Oklahoma students would take fewer mandated tests under bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Public school students will have to take fewer state-mandated tests under a bill approved overwhelmingly in the Oklahoma House.

The House voted 95-1 on Monday for the bill that will eliminate several tests that students are currently required to take, including seventh-grade geography, fifth- and eighth-grade social studies and writing, and three end-of-instruction tests for high school seniors. The bill now heads to the Senate for final consideration.

State Rep. Lee Denney of Cushing says that under the bill, Oklahoma schools still will meet the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

A total of 18 tests still will be required. Those include four high school tests in English, math, science and U.S. history.