"State High School Exit Exams: Put to the Test" Reviews Implementation in 24 States

As part of a multi-year study, the Center on Education Policy this month released its second annual report on state exit examinations, "State High School Exit Exams: Put to the Test." This study examines current trends in exit exams in the 19 states with exit examinations effective in 2003 and in the five states phasing in exit exams by 2008. It also provides helpful state-by-state profiles.

The study reaches four major conclusions about the implementation of state exit examinations:

While acknowledging increased public opposition to the exams in 2003, some states delayed this graduation requirement, but many states have maintained the requirements of their examinations and are withholding diplomas for thousands of students.

The report finds that the "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) mandates place added pressure on state officials by influencing test content, performance goals, and exam schedules and concludes that, "[. . .] state experience with exit exams offers a preview of the pressures, funding, and instructional tradeoffs, and other challenges states and school districts will confront as they carry out NCLB."

The report also finds that school district curriculums increasingly emphasize state standards and schools are trying to provide extra help for those in danger of failing the exams, but there is evidence of higher dropout rates and 'teaching to the test.'

An examination of the costs of exit exams also concludes that the costs are "substantial" and the need for significant additional funds for student preparation and professional development have increased the financial strain on education budgets already struggling during the current economic slump.

The Center provides several recommendations for policymakers and suggests that "If the nation expects school districts to raise achievement across the board and for all subgroups of students, as envisioned by NCLB, then national policymakers must also provide significant new funding."

Prepared August 27, 2003