State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said last week that 17 North Dakota school districts, including Zeeland, have been cleared to use the ACT exam in place of a required state math and English achievement test for high school students. The districts had asked for approval to make the switch.

Some North Dakota students will take one less standardized test in high school as a result of the change, Baesler said. Many parents and teachers have expressed concern about the frequency of school testing.

The change means students in the 17 districts will no longer have to take the North Dakota State Assessment in high school.