Maryland school districts will have the option to offer high school students four more standardized tests next year under a plan approved Tuesday by the state Board of Education.
The move comes amid criticism in Maryland and around the nation that students are required to take too many tests at the state and local levels.
School districts may use the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers to determine whether juniors meet college- and career-readiness standards, a requirement starting next year.
If school districts do not want to use PARCC, they can instead opt to use tests such as the SAT or ACT.
"The positive for allowing options is it gives students and teachers more flexibility in how they show proficiency," said Maryland Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery.
The optional tests include 11th-grade English, Algebra II, geometry and ninth-grade English.
Lowery said they may be used to "inform instruction and communicate with parents on how their student is faring in order to be college- and career-ready."
The tests join 10th-grade English and Algebra I, which school districts were required to administer beginning last school year.
The state would provide funding for the optional assessments, which officials said would cost up to $3.3 million if all eligible students participated.
Local school districts say they are weighing whether to use the new tests.
"We've had plenty of discussions and will continue to have discussions that are all focused on what's best for our students as they prepare to exit high school and enter college or careers," said Bob Mosier, a spokesman for Anne Arundel County schools.
Cheryl Bost, vice president of the union that represents most teachers in the state, said she supports the addition of optional tests, especially while districts make the switch to PARCC. The state is phasing out the High School Assessments, which have been graduation requirements since 2009.
"Since we're in a state of transition, we need to allow the locals to find fixes that work for them," said Bost, vice president of the Maryland State Education Association.
State school board member Larry Giammo abstained from the vote. He said he agrees with the principle and purpose of PARCC testing, but wants to ensure that its implementation is "where we want it to be before we continue to roll it out."
Critics say PARCC testing takes too long and disrupts school schedules.
Last school year, PARCC testing for 10th-grade English and Algebra I took a little over 11 hours. Schools gave the test on two occasions — once in March and once in May — throughout periods spanning six weeks.
Amid criticism, Maryland and other states decided to cut the time next school year to 9.7 hours and give the test once a year over a 30-day period.
A Wicomico County teacher who was surveyed about PARCC testing wrote that "it is ironic that this test which is supposed to be a catalyst for improved instruction has taken so much class time away for testing and test preparation."
Giammo said PARCC testing "will only be as good as its execution. There are many areas of concern that still need to be addressed."