<p>From the Star Ledger:
"Future New Jersey high school students could be required to take -- and be tested on -- specific courses of study such as geometry, American literature and biology under a plan Gov. Jon Corzine presented yesterday."</p>
<p>The article goes on to say that the board has agreed to phase out the alternative exit exam that is currently in place for the test that is currently in place for students who are ready to graduate.</p>
<p>I would hope that NJ thinks seriously about this before it is implemented. I can see many students failing to graduate because they are not able to successfully answer geometry or science questions and why should they? I always liked NY's system where students could choose between a local and Regents diploma. College bound students were assumed to have been Regents track while those entering the workforce or the military could opt to earn a local diploma.</p>
<p>One size fits all does not work in education. If the state wants to test for minimal reading, writing, civics and math competencies, that is fine. Students should be expected to read, write and do basic math to get on in life. However few people need to know geometry or lab sciences following graduation.</p>
<p>I would hate to see NJ have a more difficult than necessary exit exam which would result in 10,000's of students failing to receive a hs diploma after meeting all graduation requirements.</p>
<p>I agree with you. The article, I believe, did also mention that there is a fear that many more students will drop out of hs if this is implemented. I can understand that. Why would a student stick around only to be told that they are a failure and cannot get a regular hs diploma if they cannot pass some of the test? I think that the current system is working in our school district, but perhaps not in all districts.</p>
<p>Also, what about the student who is not college bound right now? I know a young man who graduated, then went onto a 2 year college program to become a plumber. He really does not need to pass American lit. to become a plumber, but he did need a hs diploma to get into the 2 year pogram.</p>