High School Graduation Exams

The Pennsylvania state Board of Education and Department of Education have proposed a system of high-stakes graduation exams.  To read about the plan in the Education Advocate, click here.  To read the state plan, click here.

Education groups from around the state have joined to oppose the plan.  The articles that follow chronicle the ongoing process of debating and possible approving this controversial plan.  The most recent article is first, with earlier articles following.

Exit exams fail in CA

According to a study by the Public Policy Institute of California, success on high school exit exams can be predicted in fourth grade by assessing grades and behavior.  The report suggests that instead of trying to remediate high school students who do not pass exit exams, education money could be better spent remediating elementary students.

These findings are especially significant as the Pennsylvania legislature decides whether to fund proposed graduation tests.  Education money should not be spent

on programs that are proven to not work.

To read an LA Times article, click here.

To access the report, click here.

PA Senate opposes graduation testing

In a 48-2 vote yesterday, the PA Senate voted to curb the power of the Department of Education by giving the General Assembly authority to impose any new graduation requirements.  Next stop is the Democrat-controlled PA House, where passage of a similar bill will be harder. 

To read the Post-Gazette article, click here.

6/17/08

PA Senate Education Committee opposes exam plan

The Senate Education Committee voted 11-1 yesterday "to approve a bill that would give only the Legislature the right to impose new statewide graduation requirements."  The full Senate may vote tomorrow.  A similar bill is in the PA House.   Voice your opinion with your legislators!

To read The Patriot-News article, click here.

To read Senate Bill 1442, click here.

To read House Bill 2452, click here.

6/10/08

PA Senate Education Committee "skeptical"

The PA Senate Education Committee heard testimony yesterday (May 14, 2008) about the proposed plan to institute state high school graduation exams.  Many Senators are skeptical, especially when hearing testimony from education groups in opposition to the state plan.

To read an AP article, click here.

For the list of Senate Education Committee members and contact information, click here.

5/15/08

Pennsylvania graduation exam controversy heats up

Will mandated graduation exams improve the quality of public school education and "prove" that graduates are prepared for work and college?  The debate moves to the PA Senate Education Committee today.  Over 130 school boards are opposing the graduation exam proposal along with 22 statewide organizations.

To read more about the meeting, click here.

To read testimony from Fair Test, click here.

5/14/08

Education experts discuss PA graduation exam plan

On April 24, 2008, CEO hosted a discussion about the proposed graduation exams for Pennsylvania public school students.  A panel is education leaders discussed the consequences of implementing a system of high-stakes graduation exams.  The State Board of Education and Department of Education declined invitations to be on the panel.

To read a Post-Gazette article, click here.

5/1/08

High stakes exit exams coming to PA

The wheels are now in motion for the PA Board of Education and Department of Education to mandate exit exams.  The plan also calls for development of a state curriculum.  The authority of local school boards will be further diminished.  Education will be further reduced to test prep and test taking.

To read a CEO newsletter article, click here.

To read more about the Pennsylvania plan, click here.

PA State Board of Education

approves graduation exams

With an 11-0 vote, the State Board of Education gave initial approval yesterday to the plan that would further diminish local control by mandating state graduation exams for public school students.  Critics believe the tests will increase the dropout rate, turn most high schools into "test-prep factories," and put too much weight on standardized testing.  The plan would start with the class of 2014 - students who are in sixth grade right now.

During the next few months the plan will be reviewed by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and legislative committees before final approval.

To read more, click here.

To read the State Board of Ed proposal, click here.

1/18/08