The Ohio legislature voted this summer to change graduation requirements so that the class of 2023 and beyond will not have to pass as many AIR tests.

According to Beachwood’s Director of  Curriculum and Instruction Linda LoGalbo, the state reviewed the old standards in July of 2019 and deemed them too rigorous and not proper preparation for the work force or college by state review.

“Currently, the freshman class does not have to take the ELA I test as a graduation requirement.  However, the freshman class is required to take the ELA I test for accountability measures.” LoGalbo said.

According to the Ohio Department of Education literature, the class of 2023 is the only class under the new regulations; the three former classes are still under some permutation of the 18 point system that has been in place for the past few years.

According to the Ohio Department of Education, as of July, the graduation requirements for incoming freshmen (class of 2023) include passing one English test and the Algebra I test.  The previous requirements included passing two English tests and Algebra I and Geometry tests.

LoGalbo explained the new requirements: students now need 12 points to graduate, whereas the old system required 18 points over seven tests.

The state legislature implemented this change because large numbers of students were not meeting graduation requirements, nor were they able to pass with alternative methods.

Last year, for instance, more than a thousand Dayton-area students were scrambling to meet graduation requirements under the old system.

LoGalbo explained that even alternative paths to graduation, such as industry credential, workforce readiness and college and career readiness tests were too difficult for many Ohio students to attain.

The state wanted to streamline the process by which students could qualify for graduation.

Luckily for freshmen, this means less pressure on the tests.

“We are doing well meeting the current standards,” LoGalbo said.

The multiple changes in the state requirements result in a grand total of three different sets of graduation requirements for four graduating classes.

This causes some challenges for teachers adjusting to new tests and for guidance counselors developing graduation plans for students, seeing that each class needs to meet different standards. It thus also causes stress for students across the state.

“The State is struggling with what it means to be college and career ready,” LoGalbo said.

Administrators appreciate the move away from excessive testing and the anxiety and stress that comes with it.

“There are always changes to standardized tests,” Principal Paul Chase said. “I’m very happy to see that [the Ohio Department of Education] is considering a reduction.”