This link is exactly how Maine and other states should not go in terms of educational policy. Maine education policy seeks to have as many students included in standardized testing as possible. South Dakota is trying to reduce the number of students taking the tests. In addition they would change the way their graduation rates are calculated by using a long time window rather than the four year measurement currently used. Does it make you school better if your students take longer to graduate?
If we can all write our own rules, we can make our numbers look better isn’t a strategy. It’s an abandonment of educational standards and an acknowledgement that the state of South Dakota would rather save money rather than improve their educational system!