Countdown to April 29 to PERMANENTLY close M. R. Reiter. Ask the board to see the 6 point plan.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

PA Statewide Tests Unlikely

It looks like the proposed statewide graduation testing plan in Pennsylvania is not going to be gaining any traction any time soon now. The politicians want the power to institute testing, taking it away from the state board of education.

Pa. senators advance bill to block graduation testing

MARTHA RAFFAELE, The Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A state Senate panel has advanced a bill to effectively block a proposal to require new state graduation tests for Pennsylvania high school students.

The Senate Education Committee voted 10-1 Monday to approve a measure that would give the Legislature the sole authority to impose any new statewide high school graduation requirements.

The State Board of Education has proposed creating a series of 10 final examinations covering math, science, English and social studies. Students would have to pass six to graduate, starting with the class of 2014.

Education Committee Chairman James Rhoades opposes the new tests. The Schuylkill County Republican says money the state would spend on developing the exams would be better spent on other strategies to boost student achievement.