DIS opinions?

[tinatark]

I know of a couple of people who "graduated" from high school this year, but they didn't "graduate"- in GA, there is an end of high school exam which must be passed to get a diploma - students are given multiple chances (5 chances) to pass it starting in their junior year, and as long as certain conditions are met, can still walk with the class - then they have 2 more chances to pass the test and get their diploma. I guess if they don't pass it then they just have a certificate of high school completion.

I don't know that I agree with non-graduates "graduating" - it's almost fraudulent - like having a wedding shower for a couple who lives together.

Edited to add - students have 5 testing opportunities between their junior year and spring of their senior year.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I don't really have a problem with it. Technically, they're not graduating because they won't receive a diploma until they pass the test. If they intend to keep taking the test until they pass it, it would be a shame for them to miss participating in the ceremony with their classmates. They will eventually graduate, it will just take them a little longer. I'm probably a little more liberal on the issue because I work with special needs kids and have one of my own. He's starting high school next year and I can see him needing a few tries to pass California's High School Exit Exam. If some of the kids you know aren't passing the test because of learning or other disabilities, I wouldn't fault them for it.

 

[LisaR]

Are those that have a certificate able to go to college if they want? I assume they could as long as they could pass the CPT or have decent SAT/ACT scores.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

Not one of the students I teach will get a standard high school diploma. Should they not get to walk?

Here in Florida we have the FCAT which they have to pass before they can graduate. Most places let them walk.

 

[golfgal]

There was just an article in the Minneapolis paper about this and most schools let the kids walk too. Think of it this way, the kids are finishing high school and moving on to a new chapter in their lives, does it really matter to anyone but the kid if they have a diploma hanging on the wall or a "certificate"?

 

[Lanshark]

Students are required to pass the CRCT after certain grades. The CRCT is given to all students in grade 3 through grade 8.

Georgia law, as amended by the A+ Education Reform Act of 2000, requires that all students in grades one through eight take the CRCT in the content areas of reading, English/language arts, and mathematics. Students in grades three through eight are also assessed in science and social studies. The CRCT only assesses the content standards outlined in the GPS.

There are students who don't test well. Any student going to college will need to have sufficient SAT/ACT scores for admission. Once accepted into college they need to take the COMPASS test for placement. What is the graduation test really accomplishing here in Georgia?

This is what is on the Georgia Department of Education site:

The purposes of the Georgia Student Assessment Program are to measure student achievement of the state mandated curriculum, to identify students failing to achieve mastery of content, to provide teachers with diagnostic information, and to assist school systems in identifying strengths and weaknesses in order to establish priorities in planning educational programs.

It seems to me if we haven't identified students failing to achieve mastery of content before graduation then we've done something wrong.

 

[kirstenb1]

My opinion, for a lot of kids, high school is the end of their education. Let them have a day of celebrating with family and friends.