Michigan High Schools to Remove Essay from Key Exam
In a move set to alleviate stress for high school juniors across Michigan, the essay component of the Michigan Merit exam is being eliminated starting next year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the legislation on Thursday, ensuring that scores from this section will not be forwarded to college admissions offices.
Governor Whitmer expressed her approval, stating, “I’m proud to sign another set of bipartisan bills that will reduce the stress placed on students and level the playing field for young Michiganders who are applying to colleges.”
The new legislation aligns Michigan with many other states where such scores are not included in student transcripts for college applications. This development comes as a relief to local students, who previously had to submit these scores unlike their peers from out of state.
State Representative Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), a sponsor of the bill, highlighted the disparity, saying, “Nearly every Michigan college has test-optional applications, yet Michigan’s students have been required to share their scores even while out-of-state applicants haven’t.” He added, “These laws even the playing field for Michigan’s students, ensuring they can competitively pursue postsecondary education in their home state.”
Across the nation, numerous colleges have shifted away from requiring an essay portion in applications. Ryan Fewins-Bliss of the Michigan College Access Network pointed out that the requirement had become outdated, especially as students are already subjected to numerous proficiency assessments.
“This doesn’t say we’re not going to test students on writing anymore,” Fewins-Bliss explained to Michigan Public Radio. “It just says we’re not using this test at this time and it won’t be part of the SAT package that college admissions folks are getting when students and families send their information for admissions.”
Criticism has been mounting regarding the extensive time students spend preparing for standardized tests rather than engaging in comprehensive learning. State Representative Tom Kunse (R-Clare), who also sponsored the bill, commented, “Reducing the amount of required testing means more time for instruction, hands-on learning, and student development.”
This legislative change reflects a growing trend in education towards prioritizing student learning experiences over standardized testing metrics. For more information on this shift, visit Inside Higher Ed.
