(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska House of Representatives today passed a bill by Rep. Pete Higgins to repeal the High School Qualifying Exam, or exit exam, in reading, English and mathematics.

“This is a good step forward in the process to reform our education system,” Higgins, (R-Fairbanks) said. “This hurdle, created with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, is maligned by parents, teachers and students alike, and has created the clichéd atmosphere of ‘teaching to the test.’ It doesn’t make fiscal or educational sense to continue requiring our students to take the exam, or for our teachers to waste valuable instruction time prepping them. It takes three days to prep and three more to administer; we’ll save money and allow our teachers to teach.”

Higgins’ office estimates a $2.7 million cost savings when HB220 passes. The bill includes language requesting the Alaska Dept. of Education and Early Development conduct an outreach effort to notify former students that they may request a high school diploma from their school district if they were otherwise qualified to receive a diploma, but did not because of failure to pass a portion or the entire exam

“Our Majority Caucus has a commitment to providing Alaskan families with access to excellent schools and workforce development,” Higgins said. “We are following through on that commitment with passage of this bill. We are removing a road block to achievement after listening to parents, districts and the business community who hire the graduates.”

HB 220 now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.

On the Web:

HB 220
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20220&session=28

Source of News: 

House Majority
www.housemajority.org/higgins

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