Schools
State Considers Splitting History Regents Into Two Tests, Teachers Object
New regulations for splitting the test could cost the state millions and hurt graduation rates, though Regents believes it could ultimately help students.
New York state education officials want to split the history and geography Regents exams – the toughest that high-school students take – and make only one required for graduation, says the Wall Street Journal.
The proposal to split the test came on Monday after teachers were dismayed to hear that the Board of Regents considered making the exam optional. According to the Journal, the test has the lowest passing rate of any of the five required for graduation, including math, science, English and U.S. history.
State Education Department officials said the Regents suggested splitting the exam, making the first year about "foundational skills" in world history, geography, economics and civics, and the second about "cross cultural themes and patterns,” says the Journal.
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According to the paper, in 2011, only 69 percent of state students had passing scores on the global history and geography test – the lowest of any required exam.
Starting this year, the lowest grade allowed for passing is 65 up from 55, which means that graduation rates could take a dive.
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State education officials said it could cost between $500,000 and $1 million just to edit the current test down to foundational skills, and were not sure of the cost to create a new test altogether, says the paper.
How do you feel about more testing? Do you agree with splitting the regents or not? Tell us in the comments.
