Louisiana board approves plan to reduce state testing requirements for high school students

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved changes aimed at reducing the number of state assessments required for high school students. This move is part of an ongoing strategy led by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley to streamline testing while maintaining academic standards.

“This surgical approach reduces testing while maintaining the validity and rigor of these vital assessments,” said Dr. Brumley. “It shows we can listen to our educators, improve the system, and uphold high expectations.”

Under the new policy, which will take effect for students entering ninth grade in the 2026-2027 school year, high schools will shift to a comprehensive exam model for English language arts (ELA) and math. Instead of taking two separate exams in each subject during their high school years, students will now take one comprehensive exam in ELA and one in math at the end of tenth grade.

Currently, Louisiana requires six state assessments in high school: two for ELA (English I and II), two for math (Algebra I and Geometry), one for science (Biology), and one for social studies (Civics). The approved change will reduce this number from six to four.

This adjustment coincides with the introduction of new Louisiana Student Standards for ELA and math, aiming to ensure instructional alignment and more efficient assessment design.

The reduction in high school testing follows previous efforts by the state to decrease testing across various grades. In October 2024, Louisiana reduced testing time by 20% in grades 3–8 ELA and math by removing redundant sections and streamlining tasks. In March 2025, a further step was taken with a 50% reduction in social studies tests for grades 3–8; now those assessments are only given in grades 3, 5, and 8 under updated standards known as Louisiana’s Freedom Framework. Additional reductions are currently being considered for science tests in grades 3-8.

State officials emphasize that assessment data remains essential for tracking student progress, guiding instruction, providing targeted support, and shaping education policy. They say these recent changes aim to lessen time spent on tests without compromising their accuracy or usefulness.