Seniors who failed biology assessment test would get diplomas under new deal – The Spokesman-Review

UPDATED: Thu., June 22, 2017, 5:37 p.m.

Rogers High School. Members of the class of 2017 who failed the biology assessment test but had all other requirements to graduate will get their diplomas, after lawmakers agreed to de-link that test from graduation requirements through 2021. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

OLYMPIA High school seniors who failed to pass a biology assessment test this year are likely holding their breath and crossing their fingers, wondering if their diplomas will materialize.

The verdict is in, and they can breathe out and uncross.

Odds are pretty good theyll be full-fledged high school graduates in a couple weeks, thanks to a deal legislators announced Thursday that makes changes to the testing system.

If you havent passed your math or English language assessment test, however, youll still need to do more to get that diploma.

Members of the class of 2017 who failed the biology assessment test but had all other requirements to graduate will get their diplomas. Lawmakers agreed to de-link that test from graduation requirements through 2021.

Those who didnt pass the math or English assessment test will have more chances to demonstrate they are proficient in those subjects. Starting in 2019, those tests will be given during students sophomore years, and those who fail will have more time and options to demonstrate proficiency if they fail.

Starting with the graduating class of 2021, students will have to pass a comprehensive science exam geared to the class current science curriculum. One of the criticisms of the biology test was that it was out of sync with the states biology curriculum.

Parents, educators and some legislators have been critical of the assessment tests overall as a graduation requirement because they were designed to show how well the school was doing at teaching those subjects, not to measure a students knowledge.

Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate worked out a compromise bill after each chamber repeatedly passed its own version but refused to vote on the others bill. The compromise legislation is expected to come to a vote next week.

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Seniors who failed biology assessment test would get diplomas under new deal - The Spokesman-Review