The Ann Arbor School Board has unanimously passed a resolution asking the state Department of Education to make sure mandatory tests aren't given on major religious holidays. The resolution has also been supported by Superintendent Jeanice Swift and the Ann Arbor Arab American Parent Support Group.
Ann Arbor Schools already have a policy prohibiting major exams and other events on three star holidays but the resolution is a response to the Michigan Educational Assessment Program exams taking place in October during Eid-al-Adha.
School Board Member Glenn Nelson says it was more than just students that had to choose between the required test and an important holiday. He says all of the teachers he knows that were impacted chose to stay with their students.
Nelson says they hope to speak with the State Board of Education, the state superintendent and others to ensure testing doesn't conflict with important holidays. He says culture diversity needs to be considered for Michigan to attract people from across the globe.
