My school district just did not have enough money to support that option in high school, so they got rid of it in a way to get rid of teachers as well. I think they laid off 1/3 of the teaching staff in my city. D: It's so sad, mostly at the Elementary schools though.
I have no idea, luckily at my high school I will be attending this Fall, they do not offer History for Freshman. So I hope it doesn't have much of an effect on anything.
But for English and Math, the tests play a great role in which classes I get into. :/ Makes me anxious.