by, Bill Hammond
AUSTIN, TX— The Texas Association of Business (TAB) surveyed the top 100 school districts to discover the percentage of students who were allowed to graduate without passing all exit-level tests. Seventy-eight of the top 100 districts responded to requests for information. The survey found that 86.4 percent of students who failed up to two exit-level tests were granted a waiver to graduate by school district committees.
“These numbers go against the claim that we are preparing our students for a career or college after high school, “ said TAB CEO Bill Hammond. “By not holding students to a higher standard, we are doing them and the entire state a disservice.”
The numbers show almost every district (75 of the 78 responding) had an approval rate of over 50 percent. Twenty-three districts had a 100 percent approval rate. Only one district, McAllen, turned down every request.
“One thing to remember is that the passing standard on some of these tests is below 40 percent,” said Hammond. “Another thing to remember is that we stop testing after a student’s junior year, and there are plenty of chances for a student to retake tests before they graduate. It is unconscionable to allow our students to leave our public schools unprepared, yet that is what we are doing.”
Usually, students take the Algebra I, English I and biology exams their freshman year, English II their sophomore year and U.S. History their junior year. The passing standard for Algebra I and English I is a score of 37 percent.
Under SB-149, which passed earlier this year, students who fail up to two exit-level end-of-course exams may apply for a testing waiver to graduate if they meet all other criteria for graduation.
“Time and time again our students have shown they can meet challenges and do well. It is time that we stop being afraid of pushing our students to achieve more. A high school diploma is not a participation ribbon. Our education system should be about building a foundation for life-long learning and success,” said Hammond.