Louisiana Reduces State Testing for High School Students
A step forward in reducing testing time while keeping high academic standards
At Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge, we know how important it is for families to stay informed about changes that affect their children’s education. The Louisiana Department of Education recently announced an important update: high school students will soon spend less time taking state tests — giving them more time to learn, explore, and grow.
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved policy changes that will reduce the number of high school state assessments. This step is part of an ongoing effort led by State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley to make testing more efficient and meaningful for both students and teachers.
“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.”
What’s Changing
Beginning with students entering ninth grade in the 2026–2027 school year, Louisiana high schools will shift to a comprehensive exam model for English language arts (ELA) and math.
- Instead of taking two separate ELA and math exams during high school, students will now take one comprehensive exam in each subject at the end of tenth grade.
- This will reduce the total number of required high school state tests from six to four:
- English I & II → 1 combined ELA exam
- Algebra I & Geometry → 1 combined Math exam
- Biology → remains the same
- Civics → remains the same
This streamlined approach also supports Louisiana’s new student standards for ELA and math, aligning classroom instruction with how students are assessed.
A Continued Effort to Streamline Testing
This update builds on several recent efforts by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to responsibly reduce testing while maintaining strong academic standards:
- October 2024: Testing time for grades 3–8 ELA and math was reduced by 20%, eliminating redundancies and simplifying writing tasks.
- March 2025: Social studies testing for grades 3–8 was cut by 50%, focusing assessments on grades 3, 5, and 8 to align with Louisiana’s Freedom Framework standards.
- Coming soon: The LDOE is exploring potential reductions in science testing for grades 3–8.
Why This Matters for Families
State testing provides valuable information about student learning and school performance, but too much testing can take time away from instruction. These updates are designed to keep the focus where it belongs — on teaching and learning, not just testing.
By reducing unnecessary assessments, Louisiana is helping students spend more time building knowledge and skills that will prepare them for success in school and beyond.
At Families Helping Families, we’re encouraged to see steps being taken that support both academic excellence and student well-being — because when schools and families work together, students thrive.
