Math proficiency test a problem for area students

Terry Webster

Monday, Aug. 21, 2000 | 12:01 p.m.

Twice the number of Southern Nevada high school students failed the mathematics portion of the High School Proficiency Exam than last year, according to a report issued Friday by the Clark County School District.

Although 91.2 percent of the class of 2000 passed the math portion of the exam, the number of students failing it rose to 539 from 279 last year. The percent who passed the math test last year was 93.6.

School officials noted that extensive math remediation opportunities are being offered to students. They also pointed out that this is the first year passing scores in math were raised from 61 to 64.

The report addresses 12th graders who had enough credits to graduate as of June 2. Of the 9,538 students enrolled as seniors, 8,317, or 87.2, percent had enough credits to graduate by the close of summer school 2000, according to the report.

In addition to having 22.5 credits, students must pass the proficiency exam in reading, writing and math to get a diploma. Those who do not pass may get a certificate of completion of high school.

The number of students proficient in reading and writing increased, the report states.

This year 98.5 percent of students with enough credits to graduate passed the writing test, and 97.4 percent were proficient in reading.

Last year 98 percent passed the writing test, and 96.7 percent the reading exam.

For all seniors enrolled as of June 2, 92.7 were proficient in reading, 94.4 were proficient in writing and 85 percent were proficient in math.

October 1998 marked the first time Clark County students in the class of 1999-2000 took the new reading and math exams. The students had seven additional times to take the math exam, along with six more chances to take the reading exam. While the writing test was not new, students had five opportunities to pass it between February 1999 and June 2000.

Seniors who failed any portion of the exam will be given four additional chances to pass it during 2000-2001.

Another section of the report shows that in the district's alternative schools, 81.4 percent of the seniors were proficient in reading, 85.6 were proficient in writing and 58.1 percent were proficient in math.