We have a similar thing going on here in Illinois.
ISAT writing portion eliminated for High School JuniorsPosted: Jul 06, 2011 5:33 PM
QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- Illinois is down to just reading and arithmetic. In an effort to save money, writing skills will no longer be tested during the ISAT exams for high school juniors.
Since the writing portion of the tests have to be individually scored, the state says this move will save the state about two point four million dollars.
Quincy school officials says even though the state won't be testing for it, teachers will continue to stress the importance of writing in the classroom.
"The state of Illinois tomorrow could say no more writing assessment, we're not focusing on writing and we know better here in this district. We know that writing is critical and so we will always teach it and it will always be important," said Trish Viniard, Quincy's Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. "
Last year, the state of Illinois dropped the writing portion on ISAT tests for elementary and middle school students in an effort to save money as well.
Video:
http://www.wgem.com/story/15036917/isat-writing-portion-eliminated-for-high-school-juniors
