Oklahoma Evaluates Alternatives to ACT Testing Mandate

State lawmakers are considering making the ACT optional to better serve students not pursuing a college degree.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education

Oklahoma Evaluates Alternatives to ACT Testing Mandate

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Should states prioritize alternative testing options over mandatory college-prep exams for high school students?

Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing a proposal to move away from making the ACT the exclusive high school testing requirement. The state is exploring alternatives like the SAT or vocational assessments to better support students who are not college-bound or have disabilities.

Why it matters

The current requirement faces criticism because many students do not prioritize the exam, leading to low performance metrics that may not reflect their broader post-graduation readiness. Superintendents argue that offering more testing paths could better serve Oklahoma's diverse student population.

Oklahoma's class of 2026 achieved an average composite ACT score of 17.4 out of 36. This performance places the state 50th in the nation, with only Nevada recording a lower average score.

The players

Oklahoma Legislature

The state's governing body responsible for setting education policy and academic testing requirements.

The details

Legislators are evaluating alternatives including the SAT, the Classical Learning Test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, and the ACT's WorkKeys. The current model, which mandates the ACT for all students to meet federal requirements, has been described by school superintendents as ineffective for those not pursuing a college degree. By diversifying testing options, the state aims to provide more relevant pathways for students with disabilities or those focused on trade and career readiness.

October 28, 2026: Lawmakers met at the state Capitol for an interim study on testing changes.
2026: The state's graduating class recorded an average ACT composite score of 17.4.
Next legislative session: Lawmakers are expected to deliberate on formal changes to the current mandate.

The Home Front

The push to diversify high school testing reflects a national trend of re-evaluating mandatory college-prep benchmarks. This shift acknowledges that current federal high school testing requirements may not align with the career-readiness needs of every student.

Families with students currently in high school should keep an eye on upcoming legislative sessions that may alter graduation testing mandates. If you have a child planning for post-secondary life, check with your local school district to see how potential policy shifts might impact upcoming testing schedules.

The takeaway

Oklahoma is rethinking its reliance on the ACT as the sole measure of high school readiness. Families should watch for future updates from the state legislature regarding which tests will fulfill graduation requirements for upcoming classes.