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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska is looking for a company to give a college entrance exam that would replace the bundle of state accountability tests taken by high school juniors each year.
The ACT or SAT exam would seemingly fit the description in the request for proposals issued July 11, the Omaha World-Herald (http://bit.ly/2a1EEzn ) reported.
ACT officials have already indicated their intent to submit a proposal, according to Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matt Blomstedt.
The test would be given in public schools on a spring weekday next school year. Students would be able to use the scores for college applications.
Nearly 22,000 high school juniors currently take a series of tests known as the Nebraska State Accountability assessments each year. Nebraska lawmakers voted to replace the tests with a college admissions test last session.
Proponent of the decision said the change could encourage students to take the tests and open the door for more college attendance. Money that's currently used for state assessment tests would pay for the new exams.
The request for proposals says that the Nebraska Department of Education is looking for a widely accepted college entrance exam that covers reading, math, science and writing. The request hints that Nebraska may eventually implement two separate tests, one for students bound for four-year colleges and another for those going to community colleges.
Blomstedt said some school administrators believe that some students wouldn't be motivated to take the ACT if they're not on a four-year college track.
"There's kind of this notion that if a kid is motivated to at least take a different assessment because of their goals that might be a better approach," Blomstedt said.
He emphasized that the state might adopt a single test.
Proposals are scheduled to be open Aug. 9 with the contract awarded Sept. 6.
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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
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