Green Country Students Rally At Capitol To End Graduation Test

Students from several Northeast Oklahoma school districts lobbied lawmakers to eliminate the new requirement that students pass an "end of instruction" exam before graduating.

02/16/2012 Related Story: State Graduation Tests Put Hundreds Of Tulsa Area Seniors In Jeopardy

Legislators are considering an outright elimination of the requirement and possibly a dual tier diploma system that would distinguish between students who pass the tests and those who don't. 

The waiver bill is in committee and is scheduled to be heard late Wednesday afternoon. 

Some lawmakers and superintendents are eager to rollback the new requirement. Students complain they might not graduate, despite having passed all of their classes.

"If we don't get this changed, we're going to have 8 or 10 students in Sand Springs, and multiply that to the rest of the state, they're going to be termed dropouts. They never dropped out!" said Sand Spring Superintendent Lloyd Snow.

The student lobbying trip was organized by Snow. He and a handful of students personally lobbied Bartlesville Representative Earl Sears.

"I honestly don't think a test should be the thing that says whether we're going to be successful in life. I don't think that's right," said Colton Wilson, Sand Springs senior.

The students had their say - but Sears was not convinced.

"I'm in the no column because I believe our schools districts have had 7 years to prepare for this day, to put quality programs in place, to offer remediation, to help students so they could pass," said Representative Sears.

While lawmakers debate rolling back the standard, or possibly creating a provisional diploma - the state department of education wants to keep the higher standard in place.

"A high school diploma should have real value, meaning for the student who receives it. It should demonstrate they have mastery of the subject matter and proficiencies and skill sets to go out into the job market and succeed as adults," said Damon Gardenhire, State Dept. of Education.

Some superintendents believe it's just unfair to expect everyone to pass the test - and those who don't shouldn't be refused a diploma.

The Tulsa and State Chambers of Commerce want the standard to stay in place, but Tulsa's school superintendent wants to see the law changed.

Read 'Vote No HB 2755' Letter