Education board discusses changing high school test

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state Board of Education is considering whether to replace the state standardized exam for high school students with a national college entrance test.

The board heard early recommendations Thursday from a committee that has been studying high school assessment but did not vote on the idea.

While the recommendation is simply to substitute a national college entrance exam for the Missouri Assessment Program test at the high school level, the ACT would be the most likely option, as about 70 percent of high school students take it already.

Education Board president Peter Herschend said the board must consider certain points in making its decision.

"Will it increase the academic performance of kids overall, and will it encourage a higher rate of graduation?" he asked.

The exam would be given to high school juniors starting in spring 2008. The state would not require students to attain a certain score.

But some educators say using a college entrance exam could improve graduation rates and might persuade students who otherwise wouldn't have considered college to think about it. They also hope students would take the test more seriously if it affects their future, as they face no repercussions now for poor performance on the MAP test.

However, board member Tom Davis said he had concerns about moving away from the MAP test, noting that it was intended to influence schools' curriculum and teacher preparation.

"To cede the curriculum feedback, teaching method feedback, to a national test, there's a gap," he said.

Herschend said it's also important for the state to focus on results of testing students in eighth grade, when teachers have time to help them improve their academic performance.

"Assessing performance at the 11th grade is at the 11th hour; it's late," he said.

Stan Johnson, assistant commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, said some adjustment would need to be made. For example, he said the ACT's math and English sections align well with state standards, but the committee recommended school districts continue giving the state science exam and that students be tested on writing skills. The ACT now offers a writing test as well.

Johnson estimated it would cost the state $1.5 million to switch from the high school test to the ACT or a similar test. Now, students who take the test on their own to apply to colleges foot the bill.

The committee also called for using another test that judges whether students have skills necessary to enter the work force.

Public meetings are planned around the state next month to gather input on the concept.