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The benefits and challenges of Michigan's switch to the SAT

Scott Pohl/WKAR

Michigan law requires that high school juniors are offered a free exam and free exam prep to determine college readiness. Next year, that exam will change. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) will take the place of the ACT, which has been used since 2007.Over the years, millions of Michigan high schoolers have taken both tests and many American universities accept scores from either in their admissions process.

Students will still be able to take the ACT, but families will bear the cost.

The State Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget announced the decision Wednesday. A press release says that Michigan’s mandatory competitive bidding process determined the SAT to be the better and less expensive choice for the next three years.

Current State talks about the change with Gary Naeyaert, executive director of the Great Lakes Education Project, which advocates for charter schools, increased accountability and parental choice in education, and Wendy Zdeb-Roper, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

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