JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The State Board of Education (SBE) voted to eliminate the administration and graduation requirement of the U.S. History statewide assessment beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

According to the SBE, all students will still be required to take and pass the high school U.S. History course to qualify for graduation. State assessments in Algebra I, Biology and English Language Arts will continue to be administered and remain a graduation requirement.

Officials said the U.S. History assessment was the only one not required by state nor federal law.

“Though the U.S. History statewide assessment will be eliminated starting next school year, it’s important to emphasize that students will still learn U.S. History and will be required to successfully complete the course to graduate,” said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. “Having fewer state tests required to graduate should be less taxing on educators, students and families alike.”

The Commission on School Accreditation voted to propose eliminating the U.S. History assessment in April. The SBE voted to accept the proposal for public comment during its regular monthly meeting in April, and the proposal cleared the Administrative Procedures Act process with public comments.