Apparently the Pennsylvania Board of Education is wondering the same thing. Recently the state education secretary revealed plans to possibly implement a state-mandated competency test for graduation. This move would follow more than 25 other states which already have such exams in place.
Today, the state board is expected to begin hearing arguments about the Graduation Competency Assessment and could vote on the proposal as early as Jan. 16. The measure, though, has come under fire from educators and school administrators who claim it would be costly and another burden on already overworked teachers.
As it stands, the proposal would require students to pass five of 10 comprehensive tests covering math, social studies, science and languages. Students would be given credit for proficiency on the required Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test, or if they pass tests given for advanced placement or International Baccalaureate.
In Pennsylvania, third, fifth and 8th grade students are required to take the standardized PSSA tests. The test is designed to measure a student's proficiency in math and reading, with results reflected as advanced, proficient, basic or below basic.
School districts devote much time to these tests, as funding and notoriety is also attached to the test results. Prior to the exams, many teachers focus their lesson plans directly on the tests, so when the exams are given, students must only purge what they've been cramming in the previous days. This method tells us nothing about the student's long-term knowledge or retention of a subject.
In 2004, the national education group, Achieve Inc., analyzed the effectiveness of similar graduation tests in six states. The group reached three concrete conclusions: the tests weren't overly demanding for a potential graduate; over time, the tests will need to be changed to reflect changing skills and knowledge; and the tests shouldn't be the sole measurement of a high school graduation.
We support the state's attempt to better measure a student's graduation proficiency. We want our children to succeed after high school, whether they are entering college or the work force. We also want to know that, when we send them to school each day, they are learning - and remembering - what is necessary to be successful beyond the walls of high school.
We realize a series of mandated tests won't measure life skills - that's one of our responsibilities as parents. If we can measure, educationally, that our child has been prepared to graduate, it may ease the growing criticism of our state public school system and underscore the overall level of education that we expect from our local school districts.