AUSTIN (March 19, 2013)--The Senate Education Committee voted Tuesday to send to the full Senate a measure that would reduce the number of standardized tests Texas students must pass to graduate from high school.

The bill would cut from 15 to five standardized exams in core subjects students must pass to earn their diplomas.

Sponsored by Education Committee Chairman Sen. Dan Patrick,, R-Houston, the bill mandates passing exams in English I and II, as well as Algebra I, biology and U.S. History.

The House Public Education Committee passed a similar measure last week, sending it to the full lower chamber for consideration.

Current law requires most high school students to take and pass 15 such exams, but that has generated sharp criticism from students, parents, teachers and school administrators who worry about "over-testing" young people.