Without state funding, the Moline School Board may have to dig into its own budget to pay for college entrance exams this spring. Last night, the board considered spending $20,000 to provide ACT testing to high school juniors.
Assistant Superintendent Matt DeBaene says for 15 years, the state has paid for juniors to take the ACT. But last month, the Illinois State Board of Education approved a switch to SAT testing.
DeBaene says if Moline Schools do pay for testing this year, it will stick with the ACT. One reason is that the ACT provides test scores to all students for free. Unlike the SAT, which only offers free scores to low income students.
But, he knows finding $20,000 in the budget will be difficult, and reimbursement from the state is not certain.
DeBaene will formally recommend that the Moline School District pays for ACT testing at its next board meeting, January 25th.