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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho public schools get funds to give ISAT to 10th-graders

Associated Press

BOISE – The state Board of Education has agreed to spend about $20,000 so Idaho public schools can test 10th-graders this fall.

Students must pass the Idaho Standards Achievement Test in the spring of their 10th-grade year to graduate high school.

But the board has scaled back on statewide testing since 2007 to save money, and some educators now worry high school sophomores are unprepared to pass the ISAT when it is most crucial.

The board canceled testing for ninth-graders last year and cut the ISAT for all grades this fall.

Students going into 10th grade haven’t taken the test in two years.

The board voted Wednesday to give school districts the option of testing 10th-graders this fall, which the agency says will help identify areas where students struggle.

Testing for all other grades is still canceled.