OGT News: Kentucky's Graduation Test Standard Is ACT
An editorial in a recent issue of the Corbin, Kentucky newspaper (link above) discusses that state's new graduation test requirement and how it is affecting academic standards. Beginning next year, Kentucky will require its high school juniors to take the ACT test as part of the state school system's accountability standards. Similar efforts involving the SAT test have been suggested for Ohio. Currently, Ohio standards require that a student pass the Ohio Graduation Test in order to receive a diploma.
The theory is that Kentucky students will get a taste of what is expected in regards to college-level work, as well as a chance to take a $30 test for free.
The Corbin editorial says Kentucky's new standard is all part of the No Child Left Behind fallout from 2001. No Child Left Behind requires that students be proficient in basic academics or their schools will be sanctioned. However, the law fails to define what "proficient" means on a national level.
The editorial says that without a national standard, states are being forced to lower academic standards in order to meet the federally acceptable passing rates that No Child Left Behind mandates.
The theory is that Kentucky students will get a taste of what is expected in regards to college-level work, as well as a chance to take a $30 test for free.
The Corbin editorial says Kentucky's new standard is all part of the No Child Left Behind fallout from 2001. No Child Left Behind requires that students be proficient in basic academics or their schools will be sanctioned. However, the law fails to define what "proficient" means on a national level.
The editorial says that without a national standard, states are being forced to lower academic standards in order to meet the federally acceptable passing rates that No Child Left Behind mandates.
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