Majority fail proficiency test

Wednesday, June 5, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

On average, it's a failing grade for the more than 1,000 Clark County School District seniors who took the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam late last month, their last chance before graduation.

A passing score on the exam's writing, reading and mathematics sections is required for a high school diploma, along with sufficient high school credits. Of the seniors from regular high schools who sat for the exam, 62 percent failed writing, 68.5 percent failed reading and 66.6 percent failed math.

Most of the Class of 2002 passed the test in previous attempts.

Seniors who failed the test will be given certificates of attendance at graduation ceremonies. A makeup exam will be offered in July, said Judy Costa, director of testing for the school district.

This is just the second time district students have been tested using a revised -- and more difficult -- exam, Costa said.

Of the students from alternative high schools who took the May exam, 68.6 percent passed writing, nearly 62 percent passed reading and 33.8 percent passed math. About 30 prison inmates also took the test, with 100 percent passing writing and reading, and just under 40 percent passing math.