Math scores may not add up to graduation

This is quite a conundrum. A new math requirement for graduating Minnesota students may be too hard, and the timing isn’t good.

The tests are used to determine whether schools are meeting federal standards, but they also are used to determine whether a student should graduate. The problem is, apparently, that a student wouldn’t find out he/she isn’t proficient enough to graduate until late in the junior year, leaving only the senior year to learn what he or she needs to learn. Last year, about a third of 11th graders were proficient enough to pass.

Says a story from MPR’s Tom Weber:

A new task force, announced at the Capitol committee meeting, will look at possible remedies for the math test. They include everything from moving the math GRAD to 10th grade, to changing the requirement that exams be given at the end of each math course instead of once in the 11th grade, to even tying GRAD scores to drivers’ licenses as a way to entice kids to pay attention.

The possibility of not graduating doesn’t get their attention?

There’s another problem. The state’s Department of Education is about six months behind schedule coming up with the test. (See comments section)

Legislators, who caution that they’re not changing the standards, are considering moves that would prevent graduating rates from dropping dramatically, giving the state an educational black eye. But they don’t appear to know yet what options to pursue, and the clock is ticking.

What would you do?