Superintendent John Foley explained to a local Ohio ABC news affiliate that requiring students to take a more difficult, college-geared exam like the ACT may inspire high-school students to take more advanced, college-preparatory classes. If the reading passages and math problems on the ACT require higher levels of English and mathematics skills than the OGT, students may have no choice but to select classes that will assist them in preparing for such an exam.
Ohio educational leaders feel that the ACT, used for years by colleges to predict applicants' potential for success in college, accurately gauges academic achievement and ability. Therefore, the officials believe the ACT is a good choice as the OGT's replacement.
Other states have switched to using the ACT as a requirement for graduation and are pleased with the results. Therefore, Ohio officials feel that the ACT is a solid choice for their students.
As of 2010, Ohio students take the OGT in 10th grade. If they pass the exam at that time, the students can graduate two years later if they meet all their course requirements. Ohio officials prefer potential graduates be assessed at a more advanced level than 10th grade. For that reason, they believe that the ACT is more appropriate for such a task.