HS Graduation Testing

LWVMD Takes Action to insure students have an opportunity to pass high school graduation tests. (2005) As long as passage of academic tests (High School Assessments) is required for graduation, the following conditions should be in place to insure students have a fair opportunity to pass: -Access to curriculum and instructional materials aligned with state standards -Access to a high quality educational program, including advanced placement courses -Access to well qualified teachers -Timely and specific results -Multiple opportunities to pass the test -In-school and after-school tutoring and remediation -Opportunities to retake a course or take a mini-course -Alternate ways to demonstrate mastery of the subject To insure every student the opportunity and resources to pass tests, the state should fund: -Pre-school education -Professional staff development (curriculum, learning styles, cultural differences, expectations of students) -Curriculum development and textbooks aligned with core curriculum -Smaller class size -Technical assistance to identify reasons for low academic achievement No consensus was reached on whether passage of statewide, course-related testing should be required to determine eligibility for high school graduation.