This is a terrible story that doesn't even remotely take into account a much bigger effort afoot to strengthen high school curriculum ESPECIALLY for kids who are not on a college path. Other states also require the ACT for all HS grads -- the ACT is more of a curriculum test so it is probably a better measure of what a kid knows compared to the SAT. There's no standard method for assessing kids who are not college bound but can be steered into certain fields based on their more narrow academic strengths. Seriously, if you're obsessing about college you should at least know the nuts and bolts of the broader higher education landscape, especially the huge changes afoot in standardized testing.

New York has an interesting system with the combination of state regents exams and local diplomas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know, such a bad idea to expect people to know something when they graduate from high school. Especially in a state with some of the worst schools in the country.

I don't think they're saying that exit exams are bad, just that the ACT isn't the best exam to use.

Agree. The high school mechanic genius (who will end up owning five garages) doesn't want to master geometry and may want to call it a day after high school. Why should he or she be denied their diploma? I would kill for a good mechanic and plumber.

Anonymous wrote:I know, such a bad idea to expect people to know something when they graduate from high school. Especially in a state with some of the worst schools in the country.

I don't think they're saying that exit exams are bad, just that the ACT isn't the best exam to use.

I know, such a bad idea to expect people to know something when they graduate from high school. Especially in a state with some of the worst schools in the country.

Whioe I don't think private schools would be impacted, it's just a matter of time before most states institute this policy.

For the ACT folks, it's all about the money.

http://news.yahoo.com/problem-using-act-high-school-exit-exam-191850535.html