State School Board Changes Alabama Grad Rules

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State School Board Changes Alabama Grad Rules

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Posted: 11:27 AM May 9, 2008
Last Updated: 11:27 AM May 9, 2008

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The State Board of Education has unanimously voted to change the requirements for Alabama's high school diploma.

The board also passed an emergency rule amendment to allow seniors who have not passed all five sections of the high school exit exam to graduate this year.

The votes drew shouts and applause from the audience at the Thursday meeting where several parents spoke and told of their children's' struggle to pass some parts of the exam.

The changes would become mandatory for all school systems in the 2008-09 school year, but some could start on a voluntary basis this fall.

The biggest change automatically enrolls all students for the state's Advanced Diploma and gives parents the choice of opting their children out to get the Basic Diploma.

Currently all students get the Basic Diploma unless they sign up for the advanced track.

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Posted by: nicole Location: ozark on May 12, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I no people now that if it wasnt for this change they would have to come back next school year.I dont see what the point is going to school for 12 years working your hardest doing the best that you can do and have it come down to 5 test thats not right some work hard everyday do what there told and everything but still cant pass the exams so i think there should either be no exams or eliminate 2 or 3 of them to give us some what of a change to graduate and be successful in our lives.

Posted by: annie Location: geneva on May 10, 2008 at 09:12 PM
What is the purpose of testing the students if they have passed each grade successfully? Seems to me it is a waste of taxpayers $'s--- many of them do not pass all of the tests. Maybe one of the reasons they don't pass is because they are not taught the subject fully. Some of these students strive to do their very best only to find when it is time to graduate---they are denied their diploma--because of not passing the exit EXAM. What a blow to the student's self-esteem. As one person asked "What happens to all the others who failed by 1-3 ?'s." on 1 part of the exam? Give these students a break---let them have their diploma--1 student I know was an Advanced Diploma student with an A-B average. What a shame. DO away with the EXIT EXAM and let the teachers teach.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Slocomb on May 9, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I think we need more teacher who are there for the kids. We have too many coaches teaching, but they are only there to win games. We need more info sent home in high school so parents can help. I know at Slocomb High they don't care if your kid pass or fail. The grades K-5 does a great job. Grades 6-12 don't care and that makes the kids don't care.

Posted by: Melani Location: Ozark, AL on May 9, 2008 at 08:11 PM
I dont think that is fair to the fellow students in the past who havn't passed the grad exam. Im one of them. By one subject and by three questions. That is not fair to me or the other students who struggle in their lives today if the dont have their diploma.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Great Job!! Lowering the standards just made Alabama the dumbest state. Make our children learn, make our teachers teach. You all should be ashammed of your selves...you just made me wish I had my child enrolled in a school that cares about HIGHER education... Sad, I suppose this "improves" grades so it makes us look smarter...when they go to college the drop out rate is going to triple. You just did an injustice to ALL ALABAMA children...hope your proud. Now noone will have to joke about being from LA...and being rednecks and uneducated...you just made it the truth. You people must have ONLINE DIPLOMA MILL EDUCATIONS!!! Which are worthless like you!!

Posted by: Bill Location: Enterprise on May 9, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Too many minority dropouts so they had to lower the grad standards. lol. China, Japan and Europe are laughing at us and cleaning our clock in Math & Science. (not PC)

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