Keith Gayler, Naomi Chudowsky, Nancy Kober, and Madlene Hamilton, Center on Education Policy
August 2003
Jack Jennings's Center on Education Policy is the source of this 137-page study of state exit tests, the second annual such. Much useful data here, including charts showing the characteristics of various state high-school exit test regimens and 50 pages of state profiles that say to what the test covers, when it's given, when its "stakes" take effect (and in what form), what options are available for students (including waivers, alternatives to testing, etc.) Additional policy analyses lead to four main findings: (1) Though states are "forging ahead with these tests," they are also fiddling with content, levels of difficulty, options, and timing. "While several states have revised or delayed their exit exam requirements in response to public opposition, high failure rates, and concerns about negative effects of tests on minority, poor, and special needs students, most of the adjustments made have affected small numbers of students or bought states time. . . . The debates over these changes show how complicated it is to strike a balance that addresses legitimate concerns about the exams without losing their rigor." (2) NCLB is "influencing the performance goals, content, and timetables of state exit exam systems. Most states with current or planned exit exams intend to use these exams to comply with the Act's high school testing mandates, but most must modify their testing systems to do so." (3) "Exit exams appear to encourage school districts to cover more of the content in state standards, better align curriculum with state standards, and add remedial and other special courses for students at risk of failing." (4) "The current costs of implementing an exit exam policy are substantial. . . . States have made little provision for the 'hidden' costs . . . such as . . . teacher professional development and prevention programs for students at risk of failing." A solid, timely, interesting report and valuable resource. You can find it on the web at http://www.cep-dc.org/highschoolexit/1/exitexam4.pdf
"High school exit exams are here to stay," by Ben Feller, Detroit News, August 14 2003
