Carlos Mariani and Chuck Wiger: Deny students a diploma because of just one test?

That's not fair, particularly when the standards were raised in midstream for this year's seniors.

By CARLOS MARIANI and CHUCK WIGER

Last update: March 20, 2009 - 6:39 PM

Print this story

Follow Opinion Exchange on Twitter

More from Commentary

How many people would submit to having their knowledge and career measured on the results of just one test? How many would want to have their hard work and dreams decided by that single measure?

Our guess is not many. That's why it's responsible for legislators to try to prevent 3,500 to 5,000 Minnesota high school seniors from being denied a diploma next year if they fail to pass the state's Graducation Required Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) math test. The issue is not whether we don't want to hold students accountable for meeting high academic standards; rather, it is whether one test is the only way to measure proficiency. Sometimes, we simply don't do well in tests.

It is estimated that thousands of diplomas may be at stake. It is simply unfair to deny young Minnesotans the ability to continue their studies based on the outcome of a single test, particularly when the standards were raised during the middle of their K-12 schooling. While high standards are important, the rules should not be changed in the middle of the game.

There are other ways to measure student achievement and promote high outcomes. Other states have multiple pathways for students to attain a high school diploma. We need time to develop those high-quality alternatives. In this year's legislative session we are authoring a bill that offers to temporarily set aside the "single test" approach while we engage the best educators and minds in Minnesota to design a more meaningful approach.

Developing balanced and innovative education and testing policies will ensure that we have world-class students and nation-leading schools. Collectively, we can design a testing system to empower our students with the knowledge, skills and discipline to succeed in the classroom and the world.

Carlos Mariani is a member of the Minnesota House. Chuck Wiger is a member of the Minnesota Senate. Both are DFLers from St. Paul.

Recent Commentary stories

Cathleen Falsani: Is Halloween appropriate for my child? - March 20, 2009

Cathleen Falsani: Is Halloween appropriate for my child? - Ultimately, the answer is yes, because this is a night that can transcend. More

Comment on this story | Read all 1 comments | Hide reader comments

New ideas for the public sector

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME to create a more efficient Minnesota. Facing large budget deficits at the state, county and local levels, Minnesotans are seeing with new clarity that the public sector must adapt to new economic realities. Only the smartest, most strategic reinvention will ensure that our tax dollars are spent on the best programs and services. Read more

About Opinion Exchange

Opinion Exchange is produced by the Editorial Department, which is dedicated to hosting the discussion on a range of issues of interest to Star Tribune readers online and in print. In its new format, it's our hope that Opinion Exhange will create a more dynamic dialogue between Star Tribune readers and the Editorial Board. Many individual posts will be written and signed by members of the Editorial Board and will reflect their own opinions. Daily editorials will continue to represent the institutional voice of the newspaper and be researched and written by the Editorial Department, which is independent of the newsroom.

Subscribe to RSS|Learn more about RSS