A Deep Breath as Class Starts

Jermaine Harris, 16, a junior, is studying to retake the exams in biology and algebra. He is joining other students and teachers in regular study sessions: "at lunch, after school, before school, anything to help me graduate on time," he said.

Pass rates on the end-of-course tests have risen significantly since 2002, when they were introduced in Maryland, reflecting raised awareness of the requirement. Last year's statewide pass rates ranged from 64 percent in algebra to 74 percent in government. State officials estimate that 88 percent of this year's seniors who have taken all four tests have met the requirements.

Students who fail a test can still meet the requirement with sufficiently high scores on the other tests. Some special-needs students can take a modified exam with accommodations.

Another option, approved last year by an embattled state school board, allows students to complete academic projects to overcome test failures. To qualify for the "bridge plan," a student must fail an exit exam twice. The student must also have passed the corresponding course and be otherwise fit to graduate.

Montgomery officials predict that perhaps 1,000 of 10,000 prospective graduates will have to retake exams or complete bridge projects, each of which might take 10 to 15 hours of work to complete. Students who fail an exam by a large margin must complete multiple projects.

Schools with higher poverty rates typically have more students who fail the tests. Among Montgomery schools, Churchill High in affluent Potomac has no more than four students who are considered eligible for alternative projects in any subject. Gaithersburg High, a less-affluent school, has 39 students eligible to complete projects in English. Kennedy High has between 4 and 20 students who can attempt projects in each of the four subjects, according to a tentative count last spring.

Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy, an independent advocate of school improvement based in the District, predicted that unease over the exit tests will die down once Maryland schools get through the first year of the mandate. That has been the rule in other states, such as Massachusetts, New York and Florida, where exit exams are now accepted.

"After a year or two, the test will just become part of everyday life," he said.