South Dakota switching to ACT test for all high school juniors

The South Dakota Department of Education recently sent annual report cards to each school district.

Pierre School District Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt says the results are not made public right away.

Glodt says in the past, 3rd -8th and 11th grade students all took the Smarter Balance Assessments testing. He says that will continue for grades 3-8, but 11th grade students will now take the ACT Test.

Collectively, South Dakota students have traditionally scored well on the ACT test, but Glodt anticipates the state average will go down once all juniors start taking the test.

Glodt says the state will pay for the 11th grade students to take the ACT test once. If a students wants to take it again, it’ll be at their own expense.