Raising the Grade: Exit Level Exams vs The Dropout Rate

Thursday, April 29th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Could requiring students to pass an exit level exam increase the dropout rate? Critics of high stakes testing say it's a key reason. But proponents think accountability motivates students.

News on 6 reporter Kia Malone looks at both sides in this weekâ€™s â€˜Raising The Gradeâ€™ report. Connecting the dots, some educators admit Oklahoma students don't take end-of-instruction exams seriously.

But others argue that holding students accountable for the tests may increase the high school drop out rate. Those critics admit, not enough data is available as to why students drop out. So itâ€™s hard to determine if connecting end of instruction exams to graduation motivates or discourages students.

18 states across the country hold students accountable for end of instruction tests. An Arizona State University study examined 16 of those states. It reports dropout rates increased in 8 of those 16 states and graduation rates dropped in 10 states.

Robert Buswell, Executive director at the state's Office of Accountability says there needs to be a special system in place if Oklahoma chooses to require students to pass an end-of-instruction exams. â€œAssuming that when you take the test, you take it early enough that you have a chance to get the results back, to analyze the results, have the student remediated in the areas of weakness. And I guess basically you could say, if we don't give up on them, then hopefully, they won't give up on the system.â€

Texas has such a system for its high stakes tests. Students can take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test multiple times until they pass it. Bob Moore, who helped implement high stakes tests in Texas: â€œThe dropout rate came down, students achievement went up. But especially for all groups of kids. Overall achievement increased, but the achievement for blacks, Hispanics, poor kids radically increased. When we implemented high stakes testing the dropout rate came way down. Who can argue with that?â€

Yet, according to West-Ed, a non-profit research and development agency in San Francisco, studies suggest that grade retention significantly increases a student's likelihood of dropping out. Therefore, failing a test that results in retention could ultimately result in higher dropouts.

So for now the jury is still out on just how does high stakes testing effect the dropout rate.