New tests aim to equip students with needed skills

High school finals are becoming more uniform across New Mexico as part of an effort to ensure students have the skills they need after high school but have alternative options if they struggle with the required state Standards-Based Assessment.

This is the first year students will start to see standardized end-of-course exams that were developed at the state level as a way for students to show their knowledge.

Beginning with this year’s seniors, passing the SBA or showing competency through other means is a requirement for earning a high school diploma in New Mexico. This year’s seniors can show competence by passing their core classes.

But starting with the class of 2014, just passing the classes won’t be enough. Students who are juniors this year will have to pass state-approved, end-of-course exams in their core classes, or pass other subject-area tests like Advanced Placement tests, for example.

For the class of 2014 and beyond, students will have to show they are competent in math, reading, writing, science and social studies. They will have a variety of ways to show that competency, starting with the SBA in their junior year, which tests students in math, reading and science. Students must then pass end-of-course exams in English and social studies.

If students don’t pass the SBA, they can show their knowledge by passing an end-of-course exam in algebra II as a substitute for the math portion of the SBA, for example.

The exams were developed by groups of teachers in each content area who were convened over the summer by state education officials. Those teachers developed final exams for algebra II, geometry, English, social studies, biology and chemistry.

School districts can use these state-developed tests, or they can submit their own final exams for state approval, said Leighann Lenti, director of policy at the Public Education Department.

Students can choose from a menu of tests, as long as they demonstrate their knowledge in all the core areas. So if students have high enough test scores on appropriate Advanced Placement tests, the ACT, the SAT, or International Baccalaureate tests, that will count as showing competency, even if they struggled with the SBA.

Statewide, 57 percent of the class of 2013 passed the SBA as juniors on their first attempt. That number climbed to 70 percent after students were able to retake the test in October as seniors. “Passing” means earning a composite score on the test of 73 and scoring at least “nearing proficient” in each section.

Lenti said the idea is to give students choices, while keeping standards high.

“These options are there to give kids as many options as we can think of so they can graduate on time but also meet rigorous expectations,” she said.

She said the PED is working with a group of schools, spearheaded by ACE Leadership charter school, to develop ways for students to demonstrate competency outside of traditional written exams. She said the process is still in the early stages, but students eventually might be able to show their knowledge through a presentation, for example.
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal