Do you think students should have to pass a high school exit exam in order to graduate?

Twenty-six states have a high school exit exam or have plans to put one in place. Do you think these tests are a good thing? What about for special needs students? Should they be required to pass in order to get a diploma?

Parent Answers to "Do you think students should have to pass a high school exit exam in order to graduate? "

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Dear High School Parents Across America! this note is for you and if you live in NJ I have links at the bottom.

Please ...if you have children in High School 9th-12th please consider voting YES! To High School Exit Exams! I’ve learned the hard way that your High School is not held responsible for the students who can’t pass the state tests for entrance into college for basic english or math foundations for college placement!

Please if you did not know this, can you call your local community and state colleges to find out if they offer remedial language-literacy-english and math classes.

Does it surprise you that even Dartmouth offers a full year remedial english foundations course. My children go to local community colleges. But this Dartmouth fact showcases how bad its become!

If you have a child with a weakness in literacy - humanities - math - sciences - be prepared to pay - student gets no credit if they fail the state college placement tests.

I truly pray with all my heart that if you have children now in 9th-12th go to the Board of Education meetings, find out what they are doing about this coming graduating class! Ask now to make sure someone from the High School cirr speaks to the state to find out what the kids are not being taught and why they are failing after graduating High Shcool.

We need to make sure our children are employable!
We voted in the BOE. Please Vote YES that thru 2015 the BOE and High School Administrators must adjust their cirr so students can pass the appropriate tests to insure college placement or workforce employability.

My 10th grader will graduate college (I pray) in 2014! I need to get on the BOE now so by 12th grade they have hopefully adjusted the cirr so she can pass the state tests and if not let her stay another year so she can because they will be changing to teach them what they need to know!

I’ll let you know how I make out next at our BOE meeting about this question. I’ve already sent to our Suptendent’s office a whole slew of information on 21st century skills and what will the school be doing about inclusion for same! Now?

NCLB insures kids born in 2005-2006 they will have a good education that kids born in 1985 until 2014 did not get the same!

How does that make those with High School students feel? And we let the BOE's do this to our High Schools - I don't know how to change it other than state the current situation and what will they do to fix it?

Please help your children by insisting your BOE and High School Administration step up to the plate and give our kids what they need to graduate successfully and be proud citizens knowing we did our best and they did their best!
Thank You. PS I'm copying my Superintendnet on this comment and I hope you don't mind the length - its very important if you don't know. If you do know and have had success with your high school changing can you please share how to help me?
Thank You.

www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1225776493109140.xml&coll=1
SEE ON nj.COM – SEARCH EDUCATION AUTHOR JOHN MOONEY TO READ HIS ARTICLE FROM 11/04/08:
N.J. schools to show slight rise in failing to meet federal target Tuesday, November 04, 2008, John Mooney, Star Ledger Staff

www.state.nj.us/education/news/2008/1103ayp.htm
For More Information Contact the Public Information Office:
Richard Vespucci
Kathryn Forsyth, Director
609-292-1126
For Release: November 3, 2008

donnalynn, You make some excellent points! Basic survival skills are essential. The book knowledge is of no value if you do not know how to apply it to real life - or if you lack the basic interpersonal skills to have meaningful relationships. Much of what you mention refers to issues of responsibility, values, and esteem. I would love to see schools place equal emphasis on the skills once taught in Home economics, Shop, and Physical Education. Perhaps a better indicator of readiness to graduate would include assessments in these areas as well as the testing in the academic areas. It is important to mention that the exit exams only require you to have taken High School English, History, Biology, and Algebra 1. Although diploma requirements include higher level of study in these areas, students attend school to be taught. It is not always easy. But, this is just the beginning of many future challenges our children will face.

trooper, i understand what u r saying about the competing with others to get a job, so does that mean that we should teach our kids at school more about jobs of interest, how to get jobs and that sort of thing? I know they need to know the algebra, biology, language and science, but i don't think they need to be pressured into the algebra 2 or 3, geometry, biology 2 or 3, chemestry,. Does that make sense? Let's teach them the basics of everything, and then lets teach them life skills, independence, how to go out and get jobs, teach them computers, since everything is going to computer based. Life is changing, and i think we need to teach them about life skills, teach them how to live on their own, how to repair thngs in their home, heating and air, electricity, (which takes math) :) , teach them how to change light bulbs, teach them about how to love and respect, teach them how to change tires, change the oil in their vehicles, mechanical things.Teach them about having kidds, how to take care of them, the responsibility, teach them on how to be leaders, and good followers. Does that make some since?

Shool is soooo stressful for the kidds, and always has been stressful, but more so now days. Test are very stressful, if you don't pass, you get made fun of, or you feel like a failure. Lets teach them basic fundamentals and how to enjoy life, when so many kids dont get to at home.So many kids don't receive love, respect and attention at home. That makes me sad, maybe this needs to be another topic, huh? Thanks for your response Trooper. Take Care and God Bless ya.

peacemom and donnalynn - to address the comment about how a student feels. Just think how students will feel when the are competing for jobs - and they are not qualified - or stuck in a dead end job because they lack the knowledge and skills for advancement!

donalynn, I appreciate your thoughts. I know that Algebra, History, English, and Biology tests can seem unfair - the fact is we are preparing our children for the future. Our students are falling behind . The world is changing. Jobs are being eliminated. What once was sufficient for survival in the adult world is no longer enough. I am looking past the present moments. The tests are not designed to exclude - they are meant to establish a standard so that students will be eligible to participate in future opportunities.

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