Thursday, January 27, 2000
School offers rewards to senior test takers
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
LEBANON — Senior Andrew Elmore doesn't want to pay his second semester parking fees at Lebanon High School.
Dustin Flint wants to skip his final exam in advanced placement government and British literature.
That's why both seniors have extra incentive to prepare for the 12th-grade proficiency tests, given to those seniors who have already passed all sections of the ninth-grade test. This year's tests will be given Feb. 7-11.
Any senior who passes all sections of the test not only will earn the state's $500 credit to be used at any Ohio college, but they'll get some perks under an incentive program approved by the Lebanon Board of Education. Seniors who pass the test will be exempt from their second semester finals and will get free parking, said Sam Ison, principal at Lebanon High School.
“We're doing everything we can to touch on the proficiency tests and their importance. We want to get parents and students talking about it,” Mr. Ison said. “We're hoping the seniors take it more seriously now that we're offering something of val ue to them.” The percentage of seniors who pass the test's sections is one of 27 criteria by which school districts are judged when Ohio sends out report cards.
In Lebanon, like many districts, seniors didn't take the tests seriously because passing the 12th-grade test isn't a graduation requirement and there were no sanctions for those who didn't pass one or more sections.
“I think because it's not a requirement to graduate and doesn't affect anything, nobody was taking it seriously,” Dustin said.
Had it not been for the incentives, he probably would have studied very little for the test. He is particularly interested in the college credit because he plans to go to Ohio University in the fall.
Mr. Ison said fewer seniors passed the test in 1999 than 1998, but more of those who did passreceived honors. Other seniors didn't bother to take one or more sections of the test.
“The biggest motivation for me is not having semester exams,” said senior Jeff Dawes, 18. “I think everybody is going to take it seriously. Most of my friends want to pass it now, too.”
Added Andrew: “It was just a regular old test before. Now it's changed. I'll spend some extra time studying.”
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