High School Proficiency Exams - High School

High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) and End of Course Exams (EOC) - High School
February and March Newsletter

State testing for high school students begins soon. Many of our students will take these state exams to determine if they have met state proficiency targets and to meet the state high school graduation requirements. In addition, test results provide valuable feedback about our instructional program.

This spring, the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) is given for reading, writing and science.  These are required for all tenth grade students. After tenth grade, students who have already passed one or more of these exams do not need to take the exam again in those subject(s).

Near the end of the school year, students will take End-of-Course (EOC) exams in math. The state End-of-Course exams have replaced the HSPE in math.

• Students in the Class of 2011 and 2012 can meet the math assessment graduation requirement by passing one of the End-of-Course math exams OR by earning two credits of math after tenth grade.
• Students in the Class of 2013 are required to pass state exams in four subjects in order to be eligible to graduate: reading, writing, math and science. For math, these students will need to take and pass End-of-Course exams in Algebra I and Geometry.
• State alternative assessments for students with disabilities will continue to be offered.
• After students have attempted the state exams in tenth grade, additional state options (called CAA Options) become available in eleventh and twelfth grade.

You may have read or heard about proposed legislation regarding changes in the math and science graduation requirements for the Class of 2013 and beyond. We do not know if proposed legislation will be passed by the state Legislature or signed by the governor. At this point, we must move forward with our plans under the current law. If there are changes to your child’s graduation requirements, we will communicate those immediately to you.

Below are key dates for the HSPE and EOC exams. The HSPE exams will start at 7:45 a.m. each day.

Parents can do a great deal to make certain their children are prepared for the state exams. We ask for your help in making sure students come to school on time, well rested, have a good breakfast, and are ready to do their best. Please contact ____________________ for more information about the state high school exams state or the state learning goals.