Unscientific Poll: Graduation Exams

[disney junky]

PA governor is pushing graduation exams. Students must pass in order to graduate. As a teacher, I oppose them. These standard type tests tend to measure things that aren't necessarily important for all people. I don't care if my mechanic can write a persuasive essay or whether he can do algebra or trig. There are different intelligences than simple reading, writing and math, and these other things tend to be overlooked on standardized tests. The last I heard, the plans call for something like 11 different exams to be given. The politicians keep changing the name of the program, the talk is 50 million just to research them, and it seems like we are going to be forced into these. This year I lost 15 class periods for various forms of standardized tests, almost 8% of class periods/instructional time.

Often these are packaged to sound good and honorable and worthy, and it is suggested that they hold students/teachers/schools accountable. What are your thoughts?

 

[happygirl]

I voted No.

 

[Pigeon]

No, I'm against them. There is more than enough testing already.

 

[dejr_8]

I support graduation tests because the value of a High School Diploma needs to be increased. I believe too many people are going to college because a HS Diploma has no value in the job market.

But at the same - to address your point - we need to invest more in trade schools that would have different graduation requirements.

 

[Lisa_M]

As someone who has a Regents diploma, I support the exams. I remember in NY a few years after I graduated, there was a change where every student had to take and pass regents exams. Not really practical as there are some kids with disabilities that are never going to pass alegbra 1 & 2. I would like to see a similar system in PA and I think a NY model is what the governor is proposing. The kids and the teachers (in some areas) need to be held to a higher standard.

 

[rwdavis2]

I voted no mainly because the tests don't mean much. We have multiple tests on various subjects. When we were concerned about our daughter passing the biology test (her school is in Howard county, south of Baltimore) her teacher reminded me that inner-city Baltimore students pass this test. Meaning that even with the lousy education they are getting in Baltimore they can still pass it. The state has since modified the requirements since too many Baltimore kids could not pass the tests.
BD

 

[Free4Life11]

I don't like the idea of them. I have hated science my whole life. And that's why I went into accounting! I haven't needed to know or use anything I learned in biology, chemistry, or physics in any practical manner. If I had been tested on those subjects, I never would have graduated!

What you "need" to know depends on what you are going to do with your future. And frankly I don't think the schools teach a lot of things you "need" to know.

 

[ead79]

I voted yes based on my experience taking high school exit exams around 10 years ago.

When I took them here in GA, they were ridiculously easy. I mean ridiculously. Essentially they only tested VERY basic skills--certainly nothing as complicated as trig or a five paragraph essay. Essentially if you couldn't pass them, I don't think you have mastered high school course work sufficiently to be given a diploma at that point. Of course, exceptions were made (as they should be IMO) for students with disabilities.

I would have different feelings if the exit exams were very difficult.

 

[sbell111]

PA governor is pushing graduation exams. Students must pass in order to graduate. As a teacher, I oppose them. These standard type tests tend to measure things that aren't necessarily important for all people. I don't care if my mechanic can write a persuasive essay or whether he can do algebra or trig. There are different intelligences than simple reading, writing and math, and these other things tend to be overlooked on standardized tests. The last I heard, the plans call for something like 11 different exams to be given. The politicians keep changing the name of the program, the talk is 50 million just to research them, and it seems like we are going to be forced into these. This year I lost 15 class periods for various forms of standardized tests, almost 8% of class periods/instructional time.

Often these are packaged to sound good and honorable and worthy, and it is suggested that they hold students/teachers/schools accountable. What are your thoughts?

My kneejerk response was going to be 'no', but your post actually changed my mind. You see, I actually do think that it's a good idea for all graduates to have basic competencies when graduating from high school. In my opinion, It is important that your mechanic can do algebra and persuasively communicate. Also, it should be noted that people who initially don't believe that college is in their future could decide to go to college. High school should prepare all kids for this, not just those that are obviously college bound.

Regarding 'accountability', I firmly believe that all parties (students/teachers/schools) should be held accountable to ensure that kids are getting a good education.