By Laura Walker
lwalker@dailystandard.com The scores on the Ohio Graduation Test for eight area juniors changed for the better this week.
Last week the Ohio Department of Education reported the company Measurement Inc. made a mistake after the tests were graded last summer. The tests were graded correctly, but the error occurred in changing the raw data to passing and failing grades.
The state requires students, beginning with the class of 2007 (this year's juniors), to pass the Ohio Graduation Test before receiving a diploma. Students begin taking the test during their sophomore year and can retake the test multiple times until they pass.
In the area about 35 students took the test this summer, said local school officials. Almost 25 percent (eight) of those scores have changed due to the scoring error. Six science scores and two social studies scores were moved from failing to passing.
Parkway Local Schools guidance counselor Kent Krogman said the four Parkway students whose scores have now changed already took the test again in the fall. "It (new scores) won't matter now," he said.
At St. Marys, the situation was similar. Two students went through tutoring and preparation for the October retake and then last week found out they passed the summer test. But Principal Mike Makley remarked, "Anytime you are tutored and learning, it is not time wasted."
Two students also had failing scores changed to passing at Marion Local High School.
Since passing the test is a requirement of graduation, students typically can take the test in October, March and during the summer. If a school has no students interested in taking the summer test, it is not given. This was the case at Celina, Coldwater, Fort Recovery and St. Henry schools this year. |
