Seniors might get extra try at math test

Monday, April 9, 2001 | 11:15 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- More than 2,700 high school seniors still must pass the math proficiency examination before they can graduate in June, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack McLaughlin is willing to give them an extra try.

"Personally I feel we ought to give it one more time," before graduation, said McLaughlin, but he added that an extension will be up to the individual school districts.

His comments came after the state Department of Education released figures Friday showing that after February tests, 2,755 seniors must pass math and 939 students must clear the reading before they receive their diplomas.

The seniors took the latest proficiency examinations last week, and those results should be known in early May. McLaughlin said that would allow time for students who failed to get remediation before graduation ceremonies.

The test last week was the seventh time the exams have been given to the Class of 2001, who started taking the tests in their junior year. McLaughlin said the test can be administered again in June, July or August, but he prefers it be given before graduation.

Taking into account the results from the February test, but not last week's, 85.2 percent of the 18,602 seniors have passed the math test and 94.9 percent passed the reading.

That's an improvement over last year's senior class. At this point a year ago, 3,239 seniors had not passed the math examination -- nearly 500 more students than this year.

If the extra test is given before graduation, McLaughlin said, Clark County has the ability to quickly score the tests so students could get their diplomas.

The board will further discuss the number of times students can take the exam on May 19 in Carson City.

Students must pass the math and reading proficiency test and have 22 1/2 credits to graduate. In February 3,758 seniors took the math portion, with 26.7 percent passing. There were 1,653 seniors taking the reading portion, and 43.2 percent passed.

Starting in the fall, juniors also are scheduled to take a science proficiency exam, but the board voted to ask the Legislature to wait another year to allow students to learn the material.

The test would include physical, life, Earth and environmental sciences.

McLaughlin, who has been the state's top educator about three months, said he wants to take a look at why math passing rates are low. He said the tests are based on 1994 standards, and he wants to examine the curriculum.

He noted Hispanics and African Americans don't perform well on the math test. The passing rate for blacks was 17.5 percent in February and 20.5 percent for Hispanics. That's a national problem, he said, adding he wants "to eliminate that gap." Whites and Asians score the best on the proficiency exam.

Barbara Myers, a member of the state Board of Education from Churchill County, suggested reducing the number of times the test is given. She said more time should be spend on remediation instruction for students who fail instead of allowing them to take the examination time after time.

Board member Gary Waters of Las Vegas complained there is too little time between the February and April examinations. The districts didn't get the results until the middle of March. And in one case, Waters said, a student who failed the math portion didn't know until three days before last week's test.

"The student had 72 hours for remediation, Water said. "That's unfair."

Sun reporter

Terry Webster contributed to this report.