For Now, Students Will Still Have To Take The ACT Exam

A bill allowing students to opt out of the ACT narrowly failed in the Tennessee House of Representatives on Wednesday. But it started a conversation about those who intentionally bomb the college entrance exam and what the state should do about it.

This opt-out idea came from a retired principal who was just elected, Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro). Another former administrator, Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens), voted against the bill but did sympathize.

“There absolutely has to be a way to exclude — without prejudice — those scores of youngsters that have been totally irresponsible in executing this exam,” Forgety said at Wednesday’s education committee hearing.

These educator-lawmakers say a handful of students always race through the test, even doodling on it, because they have no interest in college. Districts are concerned about dragging down their closely-watched ACT averages.

But Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) argued everyone should keep taking the test.

“It tells us something, even if the kids goof off,” Dunn said.

State education officials oppose totally opting out. They see mandating the ACT as giving students every opportunity to pursue higher education.

But they agreed to see what could be done about dropping scores for test-takers who don’t try. Assistant commissioner Stephen Smith said the company behind the ACT already can determine if a score doesn’t match up with a student’s abilities.