EXIT TESTS TOPIC OF EDUCATION MEETING

Exit exams for high school students were debated during an educational conference held at Central High School Thursday.

Some 250 people attended the final conference of 10 this year sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Educators and parents discussed whether the state impose academic standards and encourage students to work harder in school.

"Basically, we're trying to get information and see where people are on these issues," said education commissioner Dr. Robert Bartman. "We'll bend this information into a vision plan for the state board of education and then move the vision forward."

Bartman said the forums indicated a mixed reaction to exit exams before graduation. In general, parents support exit exams while educators are cautious about supporting the exams.

"I think a lot of nonschool people think it's really an important thing to do," said Bartman. The details worry educators because students might not be given a chance to learn the test subjects and have a disadvantage.

Opinions seemed to follow this pattern Thursday. While many participants felt students needed to meet test standards, they were hesitant to support the exams. Most didn't want to see unrealistic standards set that might reflect negatively on school districts.

Mary Thatch, a parent, said that even if it took more time for students to pass the test, they should stay here until they pass it.

Central Junior High School teacher Brenda Woemmel supported for the idea of mandatory exit exams, but warned the exams mean nothing without good parental involvement and realistic expectations.

"We've got to build a process from the time the child comes home from the hospital until the day they walk out of the public schools," said Woemmel. "I'm for exit tests, I'm for them being accountable, but we've got to have realistic goals, and the equivalent of a 28 on the ACT is not a realistic goal."

Motivation was another topic at the conference.

"If every kid had the motivation to succeed in school that they have to pass that driver's test, we wouldn't have a problem," said Barbara Kutz, a psychological examiner from the Perryville School District. "The question is, how do we get to that level."