9486 in the collection
SOL Scores Could Keep Students from Jobs, College
They'll have passed the right courses. Some might even march across the stage on graduation day. And they'll walk away clutching a piece of paper signifying their accomplishments. But for seniors who don't pass enough Standards of Learning tests, the paper in their hands won't be a diploma. And they won't be high-school graduates.
And even if they've already been accepted to Old Dominion or Norfolk State or other universities, they may not be allowed to attend. To graduate, starting this spring, Virginia students must pass at least six SOL tests - two in English and four of their choosing - in addition to earning at least
22 high-school credits.
A state survey in the fall showed that 1,841 South Hampton Roads seniors seeking the Standard Diploma hadn't yet passed all the tests they needed; 434 of them, or 7 percent, hadn't passed either required English test,
usually taken in the junior year.
Those who don't pass enough tests by June may receive a Certificate of Program Completion. The admissions staff at ODU is being instructed to carefully review final transcripts of those Virginia students already
accepted to make sure they earn bona fide diplomas. The staff also is talking with school divisions to gather information on the new nondiploma certificate, said Alice R. McAdory, admissions director. "Based on what we
know right now, we would have to say we would rescind the admission offer," McAdory said.
Acceptance letters have long warned that that can happen if grades drop or if the student doesn't graduate. One way around the SOL tests would be for students to pass the General Educational Development, or GED, test
instead, she said.
The university's position could change, McAdory added. But she said she didn't expect to be flooded with such decisions. "You think they wouldn't be accepted if they couldn't pass the tests," she said. "But strange things
happen."
There has been no final decision at Norfolk State, which accepts diplomas or GED certificates for admission. For now, the policy will remain that a state Certificate of Program Completion will not be acceptable for
admission, said Elsie M. Barnes, vice president for academic affairs. The certificate wouldn't prevent students from enrolling in Tidewater Community College, which accepts anyone 18 or older who passes entrance exams in reading, writing and math.
No statewide guidelines exist concerning the new high-school graduation requirements and college admission. "That is a school-by-school decision," said Chuck Steenburgh, spokesman for the State Council of Higher Education
in Virginia.
Chesapeake is considering awarding the certificates and allowing the recipients to march in graduation ceremonies. Virginia Beach will offer the option, and Norfolk will do so at the end of summer school after students'
senior year; neither will allow those students to march, however. Portsmouth expects to consider the option closer to the spring, and Suffolk officials have begun discussing it.
Under the Chesapeake proposal, seniors who earn just the certificate would be allowed to return for up to three years for remediation and
retesting to try for full diplomas. Norfolk, Suffolk and Virginia Beach haven't yet set time limits on retesting.
Like colleges, employers also will have to learn the differences between diplomas and certificates, said Michelle L. Carrera, work force development director for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. "Once that happens, you may have some employers say, 'No, you must have an actual diploma,' " Carrera said.
The Navy generally requires a diploma but allows enlisting recruits who meet all high-school graduation requirements but fail state exit exams for up to one year after they leave school. After that, they must present a
diploma or equivalency, such as a GED, said Chief Petty Officer William Borrall, public affairs officer for Navy Recruiting District Richmond.
Other employers are reviewing their policies. At Earl Industries, a Portsmouth ship-repair company, many government contracts require hiring workers with diplomas. But Ron Ritter, company vice president, said that
passing high-school classes - shown by a certificate - proves that a job applicant can read and write, add and subtract. "My personal feeling: I don't think it makes any difference," Ritter said. "A high-school degree is nice, but frankly, I'm looking for people who are motivated and want to learn. Because I realize they're not going to learn everything in high school."
Opponents of using standardized tests to determine graduation saw no great value in the certificate. "Although something is better than
nothing," said Mickey VanDerwerker, co-founder of Parents Across Virginia United to Reform SOLs, "it still gets to basing everything on the SOL tests rather than looking at a student's overall record, which is ridiculous."
Employers will vote in the diploma debate by their actions, by hiring or not hiring those receiving only Certificates of Program Completion. Said Carrera: "That will send a message."
For more graduation information, go to the "Hot Line" on the Virginia Department of Education's Web site, www.pen.k12.va.us.
— Matthew Bowers
SOL scores could keep students from jobs, college
Virginian Pilot
2004-02-06
INDEX OF OUTRAGES
Pages: 380
[1] 2 3 4 5 6 Next >> Last >>
