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Seniors could get AIMS break
It is way past time for the public get fed up enough to tell corporate politicos to stop micromanaging schools. . . and graduations.
by Matthew Benson
With time running out before the first of Arizona's high-school graduation ceremonies Thursday, state lawmakers are rushing together legislation that would allow as many as 6,000 students who failed the AIMS test to walk the stage with their classmates.
On Tuesday, Senate legislators gave final approval to a measure, House Bill 2008, that would bail out high-school seniors who have not passed at least one portion of the AIMS assessment and would not otherwise be eligible for a diploma.
The bill, which would take effect immediately and apply to this year's graduating class, would allow students to augment their AIMS score with good grades. The provision had been in effect since the 2005-06 school year but ended Jan. 1.
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The House, which already approved the measure, could consider changes to the legislation as early as today. Its approval would send the measure to Gov. Janet Napolitano.
For students like Maria Cami of Scottsdale, the legislation represents the last, best chance to graduate on time this spring.
AIMS measures students' ability at 10th-grade-level reading, writing and arithmetic. It has been the math portion that has tripped up Cami, a Saguaro High School senior, each of the five times she has attempted the test.
"I'm not really good at math," said Cami, 18, who was on hand for Tuesday's Senate vote. "I feel like I'm being penalized for something I'm not good at."
AIMS aside, she said she has a 3.2 GPA and has already been accepted to Arizona State University. That, too, is in jeopardy pending approval of HB 2008.
Sen. Jake Flake said he has heard from several families in a similar position, including the parent of another student who has tried and failed to pass the math portion of AIMS on five occasions.
"There's got to be a case for these people," said Flake, a Snowflake Republican. "My heart goes out."
Although sympathy is not in short supply at the Capitol for such students, neither is concern about grade inflation, social promotion and an educational system that continues to enable the unmotivated or underachieving.
"A diploma should mean something," said Sen. Ken Cheuvront, a Phoenix Democrat who was among senators opposing the bill in a 22-5 vote. "At some point, we need to expect more from our students and schools."
Horne's opposition
State schools chief Tom Horne argued against the legislation, saying students who have struggled with AIMS would be better off taking a remedial course and trying to pass the test again in June. About 50,000 seniors are scheduled to graduate this spring.
It is unknown how many will still come up short on their AIMS scores even if the bill becomes law.
"I just think it's a mistake," Horne, a Republican, said of the bill. "The kids should have to pass an objective test."
But bill supporters such as sponsor Rep. David Schapira argue that a safety net is needed for those students who succeed in the classroom but - because of test anxiety, algebra difficulties or some other reason - struggle with AIMS.
The Tempe Democrat supported an amendment approved Tuesday that would phase down the amount that students would be able to improve their AIMS score with good grades.
Under the legislation, that augmentation would decrease from 25 percent this year and next to 15 percent in 2009-10 and 5 percent in 2010-11.
"It'll take us a couple years, but it'll get us to where we want to be where your grades and test scores mean something," said Sen. John Huppenthal, a Chandler Republican who wrote the amendment.
While the legislation is being considered, Horne said he is advising high schools to allow their AIMS-borderline students to walk at graduation with their classmates.
Rather than a diploma, they'll receive a special certificate of achievement, pending approval of the bill and their issuance of a real diploma.
— Matthew Benson
Arizona Republic
2008-05-14
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