AUGUSTA – Two bills attempting to slow state Department of Education plans to have all high school juniors take the Scholastic Aptitude Test instead of the Maine Educational Assessment test will be aired during public hearings Tuesday.

Last year, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron announced that this spring all juniors would take the SAT instead of the state’s MEA.

Rep. Thomas Saviello, I-Wilton, said Thursday he’s no fan of the MEA, but he’s concerned that the change to the SAT is being made without enough input from the public, especially guidance counselors.

And, Saviello adds, the MEAs are given during the school day; the SATs on Saturdays. What happens, he asked, if half of the juniors don’t show up on Saturdays to take the SAT?

Saviello sponsored L.D. 1843, which proposes that no 11th-grade test change can happen without approval from legislators.

Another bill sponsored by Sen. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, L.D. 1798, says the state could not make the SAT switch until 2007.

Both bills will be heard beginning at 1 p.m. by the legislative Education Committee, Room 202 of the Cross Office Building.

– Bonnie Washuk