State Drops Writing Exam For Illinois Students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- The state is expected to save nearly $2.5 million, now that Gov. Pat Quinn has eliminated writing exam for Illinois students.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports
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As WBBM Newsradio 780's Mary Frances Bragiel reports, the elimination of the exam became law last week as part of the state's goal to cut spending, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Writing tests are not required or funded under federal education law, and advocates are worried that educators will not focus only on the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act – which centers on reading and mathematics, the Tribune reported.
Last year, lawmakers cut the elementary school writing exam, but kept the exam for high school juniors.
Officials say the cut in education funding in this recent budget forced this elimination.
