New Jersey Announces New High School Graduation Exam

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - New Jersey education officials say the state will start using a new test as an option for high school students to graduates starting in 2016.

But the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, test will not be students' only option.

They could also graduate high school by hitting a minimum score on the SAT or ACT college admissions exam or submit a portfolio instead.

Gov. Chris Christie's administration had said it would not have consequences immediately for students taking the new PARCC exam as officials evaluate how well it works.

But acting Education Commissioner David Hespe says the state is not going back on its word because students will have alternate ways to prove what they have learned in high school.

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