Illinois Dropping Controversial PARCC Exam For High School

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Illinois State Board of Education says it will no longer administer the Partnership for the Achievement of Readiness for College and Careers standardized test to high school students.

The board announced Monday the controversial test will be replaced by a redesigned SAT test.

Board of education officials say the dumping of the test came after conversations with parents, administrators, unions and others. The test, known as PARCC, is supposed to measure college readiness with in-depth analytical questions. In Chicago alone, about 10 percent of eligible students didn't take it last year.

The board is touting the decision as a cutback on standardized testing while providing equitable access to a college entrance exam required for admissions applications.

Third- through eighth-graders will still take PARCC in the spring.

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