Ohio Graduation - Pike County Ohio School Districts

In the Pike County Ohio School Districts twenty-eight seniors did not pass all five sections of the Ohio Graduation Test. The recent 2007 graduates were the first who had to pass the Ohio Graduation Test which is a sophomore-level test required to pass in order to graduate. Previously, students had to pass the Ninth-Grade Proficiency Test to get their diplomas.

While the Ninth-Grade proficiency test measured learning outcomes, the Ohio Graduation Test is aligned to the Ohio state curriculum standards that all Ohio public schools are must follow, according to the Ohio Department of Education. Design of the test also is different from the Ninth-Grade proficiency test. The Ohio Graduation Test has more short answer or essay answers instead of the multiple choice type that was on the Ninth-Grade proficiency test.

At the Western High School, Principal Phil Howard had mixed feelings about the district policy to allow students to participate without fulfilling the Ohio Graduation Test requirement. The principal said that he understands the reasoning behind it. He also stated that in his opinion he disagrees with the whole concept. However, he also disagrees with the outcome of one test out of 13 years of school being a determination on whether or not a student receives a diploma.

The guidance counselor Steve Kitchen at Waverly High School also is fine with allowing students to participate in graduation if they have fulfilled all of the other graduation requirements. Ohio School District Seniors will have another chance at passing the test in July.