During the Spring of last school year, the G.R.A.D. (Graduation Required Assessment for Diploma) tests were taken by the Junior class. These tests are a portion of the M.C.A. (Minnesota Comprehension Assessment) tests, for which there are two categories, consisting of reading and math. Out of all the Juniors that took these tests 153 students ended up with unsuccessful scores. This created a problem for many of the students, seeing as though this meant there was going to be a lot of work ahead of them in order to successfully complete the requirements to graduate.
The administration, along with math teacher Michelle Macalena and Joel Peterson, has worked to provide options for the students to retake these tests. There was an option of remediation in June and August for the math test, which over half of the students who failed that section took advantage of. They either had the option to take 12 or 24 hours of classes before they had their first retake of the test. However some of the students who took those classes, and some who didn’t, failed their retake test. After this has happened a student is then required to take the (previously optional) 24 hours of class.
“I’ve now failed the math test twice, and I didn’t really realize all the work I am going to have to go through now,” said an anonymous student. “I really wish I would have focused more the first time, because I’m in an activity each season right after school and I have no idea when I’m going to be able to do all these required hours.”
Students tent to be under the assumption that if they don’t pass the test they will not be able to graduate, but that is only true for the reading test, not the math. The state testing rules only require a student to complete two retake tests and 24 hours of class to have completed the math test requirements. However , for the reading test the student is required to keep taking the test until they pass. The school has come up with many options for these students such as an Extended Day Program where they can take classes and also receive a half credit for all of their work. They are also considering offering a third term reading course as a class that the students can take to ensure that they are able to pass the test if they have not by that time. There is also an Independent Study option along with S.S.R. remediation.
“I think that our key goal is to have all the students acquire the skills to pass the test,” said Assistant Principal Brandon Prell. “Then, they will be able to apply those skills to their other school work, and life after high school.”
