Higher Grad Standards may cause trouble for Juniors
May 11, 2009 • written by Hunter Haagsman
What is something that two thirds of Park High School students may not receive? No, it’s not their dream car; in fact it’s their high school Diploma. Beginning with the graduating class of 2010, all Minnesota students will be required to pass the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment. This includes a writing test which is first given to students in ninth grade, a reading test that Sophmores will be expected to pass this year, and a state math assessment. These tests in addition to credits students earn are essential to high school graduation. As of 2008, only thirty one percent of Park students met the requirements to pass the Math MCA, and nearly a third didn’t pass the reading portion.
Despite rumors about the importance of these tests and how much weight they actually may hold, Dr. Agbamu, the current principal of Park High School says students will be required to pass these tests in order to graduate. “It’s required by No Child Left Behind” said Agbamu. She says that it is not up to her to decide. The No Child Left Behind Act is a federal law signed by former President Bush in 2001 that was designed to improve standards and keep schools accountable by implementing stricter standards and increasing the amount of standardized tests like the MCA.
Many students are opposed to such testing and claim that it is illogical to place their entire diploma on a series of tests. “I don’t like taking the MCA’s” says Zach Rheult. a sophemore. “They waste time and are boring, plus it’s just stupid if you pass all of your classes then you should graduate.” Proponents of standardized testing argue that this kind of testing keeps students and schools accountable by insuring the material is actually learned by the students.
Park High school MCA-II results
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards
Grade 10
Reading
72% (2008)
64% (2007)
65% (2006)
The state average for Reading was 71% in 2008.
Source: MN Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Grade 11
Math
31% (2008)
28% (2007)
26% (2006)
The state average for Math was 34% in 2008.
Recently the Minnesota State legislature has debated whether to extend the date the tests are introduced, and also to increase the opportunities a student will be given to retake the tests. Even if the deadline is extended or the tests are cancelled altogether, many students and teachers will find themselves in a difficult position. Dr. Agbamu declined to state her opinion on standardized tests. but it is obvious that anyone would be concerned with the prospect of the majority of students unable to graduate.
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