Do you think the ACT test  should be mandatory for all high school students?

Currently a few states do require that students take the ACT. Why? It serves as another way to assess students, and some probably see a side benefit that perhaps more kids will consider going on to college if they already have the ACT under their belt.

A recent editorial  in the Des Moines Register advocates for school districts in Des Moines to pay the ACT test fees for all students, but to further examine whether it should be made mandatory.

Personally, I'm not in favor of either. I don't understand why a school district should pay for the test, considering there's already an option to get the fee waived  for those with an economic need. For those who can afford to pay the fee, in my opinion, paying for the test and taking it on a Saturday outside the school setting, lends a certain weight and seriousness to the test that might be lost if it was free.

As far as making it mandatory — I think that approach could have the same effect. It takes the seriousness away if it becomes yet another standardized test, taken by everyone in the middle of a school day, whether they want to or not.

And really, the ACT measures college readiness. Not all kids take the college-prep route through high school. It doesn't seem fair to test them as though they have.

So what do you think? Should the ACT test be mandatory and/or free?