Ohio Governor Ted Strickland wants to revisit the Ohio Graduation Test and its impact on whether or not a student gets a diploma.
Strickland is taken back by the fact that about 30,000 Ohio high school seniors were denied graduation this spring because they failed to pass one or more of the five sections of the OGT.
As a child psychologist, he is worried about the impact that failing to graduate on time would have long-term on a student's life. He is also concerned about the weight the OGT is given when it comes to preparedness.
He cited the ACT and other instruments as good indicators of a student's aptitude to do college work - in some cases, even better indicators than the OGT.
Local news stories from around the state are full of student protests, court actions and other conflicts over the OGT and graduation ceremonies. In some cases, students who failed the OGT cannot participate in commencements. Other districts are allowing "walk throughs" for students who failed the OGT, but still want to have an active part in graduation ceremonies.
This is the first year that Ohio seniors have been required to pass all five sections of the OGT in order to get a diploma. The sections are math, reading, writing, science and social studies. Seniors have had about a half dozen opportunities to take and pass the test, beginning with the end of their sophomore years. Most districts are offering a summertime "prep" course for anyone who failed this year and another chance to take the test before fall. Larger districts offer fall commencement ceremonies for students who didn't graduate in the spring.
Strickland is taken back by the fact that about 30,000 Ohio high school seniors were denied graduation this spring because they failed to pass one or more of the five sections of the OGT.
As a child psychologist, he is worried about the impact that failing to graduate on time would have long-term on a student's life. He is also concerned about the weight the OGT is given when it comes to preparedness.
He cited the ACT and other instruments as good indicators of a student's aptitude to do college work - in some cases, even better indicators than the OGT.
Local news stories from around the state are full of student protests, court actions and other conflicts over the OGT and graduation ceremonies. In some cases, students who failed the OGT cannot participate in commencements. Other districts are allowing "walk throughs" for students who failed the OGT, but still want to have an active part in graduation ceremonies.
This is the first year that Ohio seniors have been required to pass all five sections of the OGT in order to get a diploma. The sections are math, reading, writing, science and social studies. Seniors have had about a half dozen opportunities to take and pass the test, beginning with the end of their sophomore years. Most districts are offering a summertime "prep" course for anyone who failed this year and another chance to take the test before fall. Larger districts offer fall commencement ceremonies for students who didn't graduate in the spring.
posted by Debra Maple
at
Friday, June 08, 2007
1 Comments :
Dear Governor Strickland,
I have been concerned by this "No child left behind law" since my son was in third grade. He is now in 7th and has not ever passed one of the proficiency tests given in school. He does have an IEP since 6th grade, but I honestly believe it doesn't mean a whole lot. He has always been a bright child, I had him tutored by Sylvan Learning schools for several years and each grade he has had to attend summer school in order to move on to the next grade. I had kept him back in kindergarten so he is already one of the oldest in his class. I see my son trying, but it doesn't seem to be enough for his teachers. This year is already starting out bad, A supply list was sent home before school started, then he comes home and needs various items for other classes. I have a shared parenting arrangement, work two jobs when my son is with his father and attend weekend college. The second week of school he had to attend a "TAP" because of missing supplies in each class. This means you stay in at recess and write 500 times why you will never do that again. In my opinion this is absurd. For the kids that are struggling wouldn't the time better spent working on assignments? This is setting these kids up to fail. My son asked me not to address these issues with the teachers and school administrators since when I have in the past years it seems the teachers then gang up and pre-label a child without giving them a chance. Any other suggestions?
Sincerely,
Valerie Semperger
Wickliffe City School District
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