The conversation surrounding high school exit exams has gained momentum, as many argue these tests create barriers for students, particularly English language learners and those with learning disabilities.
Massachusetts Debate
In Massachusetts, a poignant debate unfolded last fall over a ballot referendum to eliminate the requirement for students to pass standardized tests for graduation.
Jill Norton, an education policy adviser and mother of a teenager with dyslexia and ADHD, believed that getting rid of the exam would sap students’ motivation to excel academically.
On the other side, Shelley Scruggs, an electrical engineer and mother of a son with ADHD, argued that students facing learning challenges ought to have alternative evaluation options beyond traditional standardized assessments.
Ultimately, Massachusetts voters sided with the referendum; 59% voted to abolish the exit exam requirement, reflecting a growing trend across the nation.
Only seven states currently continue to enforce such testing, with New York planning to phase out its Regents Exam by the end of the 2027-28 school year.
According to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia remain the only states clinging to these mandates.
Changing Assessment Methods
Teachers’ unions in Massachusetts pushed for the removal of the exit exam, citing concerns that it restricted educators to a narrow focus on test content, inhibiting deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.
Conversely, many business leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining testing standards to ensure graduates possess essential skills.
Over the past decade, the trend in states requiring graduation assessments has sharply declined.
In 2012, half of all states mandated these tests, but by 2019 that number shrank to just 13.
The COVID-19 pandemic further hastened this decline, as many school districts suspended testing during remote learning, with some opting for permanent exemptions afterward.
Research suggests that graduation exams may disproportionately disadvantage students with learning disabilities and English learners, often failing to predict success in employment or higher education.
A significant 2010 study from the University of Texas at Austin revealed that previous exit exams did not yield the expected benefits and posed significant hurdles for disadvantaged groups.
Future Directions
In response, several states are now exploring alternative approaches to student assessment.
Methods like course grades, capstone projects, and specific technical achievements are emerging as viable options.
John Papay, an associate professor at Brown University, noted that competency tests initially emerged in the 1980s to ensure a baseline skill level for graduates.
However, as concerns over standardized practices grew around the mid-2000s, states began to shift away from these assessments, a change amplified by the pandemic.
Papay also acknowledged that standardized assessments can serve as indicators of long-term success in academics and careers, noting that students usually have opportunities to retake these tests or appeal their scores.
Anne Hyslop, director of policy development at All4Ed, highlighted that many states have moved toward alternative evaluation methods, allowing students to showcase their competencies through various formats, such as dual credit courses or industry-recognized competency tests.
Scruggs shared her concerns for her son, who recently attempted the Massachusetts exit exam and passed the science and math sections but missed the required score in English by just one point.
This situation raises questions for her about the fairness of holding students, who excel in their classes, to testing standards that could undermine their potential.
Norton, however, maintained her belief in the value of standardized testing, arguing that the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) pushes students like her son to strive for excellence.
She worries that without such benchmarks, key skills might go unacquired.
In Massachusetts, students will still take the MCAS during their sophomore year, and the results will factor into overall assessments.
However, starting with the class of 2025, failing to pass the exam won’t prevent graduation.
The state is actively considering alternatives to the MCAS, such as other coursework or evaluation methods.
Graduation requirements across Massachusetts and other states generally encompass core subjects like English, mathematics, science, and social studies, although specifics can vary by district.
In New York, the State Education Department began reevaluating high school graduation requirements and the Regents Exam back in 2019.
Last autumn, they decided to phase out this exam and introduce a new framework titled “Portrait of a Graduate,” focusing on seven areas of proficiency, including options for capstone projects and internships.
Advocacy groups, including FairTest, are promoting the idea that course grades can offer a more accurate portrayal of student abilities than standardized tests.
Executive director Harry Feder pointed out that these assessments often fail to effectively engage students or measure essential skills.
Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, emphasized that phrases like “teaching to the test” undermine the expertise of educators in evaluating student mastery.
He assured that student evaluations extend far beyond assessments given in the 10th grade.
Amid these discussions, many view Colorado as a forward-thinking model in shifting away from graduation tests.
The state has provided a range of assessment options since 2021, allowing districts to select methods such as SAT or ACT scores, or demonstrations of workforce readiness.
Recently, a legislative task force in Colorado suggested changes to the accreditation system to better meet diverse student needs with more flexible assessments, multilingual options, and timely feedback.
Danielle Ongart, representing the Colorado Department of Education, asserted that students now have the opportunity to highlight their knowledge and skills in a way that aligns with their future goals, including obtaining professional certifications in specialized fields.
Source: The74million