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NJ Spotlight - NJ High School Proficiency Assessment: The Run-Up to Graduation…By the time they reach their junior year, students must have mastered at least the basics of algebra, statistics, biology, and essay writing to move on to that cap and gown
GSCS Notes: Potentially related issue is NJ SENATE bill, No. 459 Sponsored by: Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER, District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)…SYNOPSIS - Prohibits a student from participating in high school graduation ceremonies unless the student has completed all graduation requirements
The Senate is scheduled to vote on S459 this Monday, May 13, 2013. A companion bill to S450 has not been introduced in the Assembly. Click on More here to see NJ Spotlight story and bill S459
NJ Spotlight - NJ High School Proficiency Assessment: The Run-Up to Graduation…By the time they reach their junior year, students must have mastered at least the basics of algebra, statistics, biology, and essay writing to move on to that cap and gown
, May 10, 2013 in Education
Last, but far from least, NJ Spotlight’s weeklong review of the state’s testing system makes a stop at the high school exams that students are required to pass for graduation.
The three-day High School Proficiency Assessment in math and language arts -- lasting two-and-half hours each day -- is typically administered once in March of their junior year.
If students fail either section, they have two more shots in their senior year, plus a chance through an alternative test that uses more open-ended, performance-based questions.
New Jersey also gives a biology test later this month, which is currently not required for graduation but is the precursor of the end-of-course exams that the Christie administration wants to start giving in at least math and language arts.
As we did with the elementary and middle-school tests earlier this week, NJ Spotlight is giving our readers a chance to see firsthand what is demanded of students with a few sample questions like those on the exams.
There remains plenty of debate as to whether the tests are rigorous enough. But as you can see, passing them means having a working knowledge of some algebra and statistics in math, knowing the difference between dominant and recessive genes in biology, and being comfortable with the basics of essay writing in language arts.
Take a shot, and check your answers with those at the bottom of the page. We also invite you to tell us what you think about the questions and how New Jersey tests its students overall.
To see questions (and answers) go to:
NJ SENATE bill, No. 459 Sponsored by: Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER,District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)…SYNOPSIS - Prohibits a student from participating in high school graduation ceremonies unless the student has completed all graduation requirements<P>The Senate is scheduled to vote on S459 this Monday, May 13, 2013. A companion bill to S450 has not been introduced in the Assembly.
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 459
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits a student from participating in high school graduation ceremonies unless the student has completed all graduation requirements.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Education Committee on October 1, 2012, with amendments.
An Act concerning the participation of students in high school graduation ceremonies and supplementing chapter 7C of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. 1[The] Except as otherwise provided in section 2 of P.L.2008, c.19 (C.18A:7C-5.2), the1 board of education of a school district shall prohibit a high school student from participating in commencement ceremonies with the student’s graduating class unless the student has completed all graduation requirements, including the successful completion of the High School Proficiency Assessment or the Alternative High School Assessment.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
