JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A bill that would change the standardized testing regimen for Mississippi high school juniors and seniors passed the Mississippi Senate this month.

Senate Bill 2689 would get rid of the four federally-mandated end-of-course assessments for Mississippi high school students. Currently, juniors and seniors must past tests on English, History, Algebra and Biology.

The bill aims to decrease the time spent preparing for and taking assessments for both students and teachers. It would allow for juniors and seniors to take alternative assessments, such as the ACT and ACT WorkKeys Assessments.

The bill also has the support of some educators.

“When you start to think about the time spent on those measures, I know during this part of the year, from March until May, it’s been all state testing. At last count, there were over 30 days that teachers were using to prepare our students for these assessments. That could be time well spent on learning other materials that will be needed in life other than spent on materials around a test that is mandated,” said Erica Jones, president of the Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE).

Jones said alternative assessments, such as year-long student research projects, are a better choice.