Hundreds Have Yet To Pass HSA Tests

Exams Required For Graduation

Although most Southern Maryland high school seniors have passed the battery of assessment tests required by the state to receive a diploma in the spring, more than 400 students in the region have not.

This is the first year that Maryland is requiring seniors to pass the High School Assessment exams, which test comprehension of algebra, biology, government and English. Students may take the tests as many times as needed to achieve an overall passing score. Teachers throughout the state are instructed to assist students having trouble passing.

Although students have known their scores since May, the State Department of Education announced the averages for the state, counties and individual high schools Tuesday. Statewide, one in six seniors has not met the requirements.

Of current seniors who had taken the exams in Charles County as of May, 91.9 percent passed. In Calvert County, the pass rate among seniors was 94.3 percent, and 94.9 percent passed in St. Mary's County.

In Charles, 226 students did not pass, and 70 have not taken all four exams. In Calvert, about 30 students did not pass; the number of those who had not taken all tests was not available. In St. Mary's, 50 seniors did not pass, and 57 had not taken all tests.

"Although it is wonderful that the vast majority of our seniors have met the necessary HSA graduation standard, we cannot be content with our present status," St. Mary's School Superintendent Michael J. Martirano said in a written statement. "Each of us must continue to do everything we can to ensure that the remaining students are given every advantage to meet this graduation requirement."

Seniors have three opportunities to take the tests before graduation. Students who have not passed after two tries but meet all other graduation requirements may complete projects instead.

In Charles, students are offered a program in which they can complete projects that take eight to 12 hours for every 21 points they fall short of passing. About 65 seniors have started the program, and 40 have submitted final projects. An additional 137 students began projects this fall.

"The percentage of students meeting the requirement changes every week, " said Drew Jepsky, director of instructional assessments in Charles. "I believe that by January we will have close to 100 percent of our students meeting the HSA requirement."

The HSA has been a source of controversy across the state and has been debated by school board candidates in Calvert and St. Mary's. Critics say it could increase dropout rates, unfairly deny diplomas to students who are not strong test takers, or disadvantage special-needs students or those whose primary language is not English.

Virginia has required students to pass a series of exit exams for several years.

On Tuesday, the State Board of Education voted 7 to 4 to continue with plans to enforce the graduation requirement beginning with this year's class of seniors rather than to delay enforcement for one year.

Officials in each Southern Maryland school district say they have developed programs and review sessions to assist students who need to increase their scores. The State Department of Education has developed online classes for parents and teachers and offers a sample test on a Web site focusing on the test, http://www.hsaexam.org.