The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Pete Higgins (R) of Fairbanks to repeal the High School Qualifying Exam, or exit exam.
Rep. Higgins said that if a student met the criteria for a diploma but cannot pass a section of the exit exam and is given a certificate of achievement, we are putting unnecessary roadblocks in their way.
Rep. Higgins: “And what I mean by a firewall is that they can’t join the military, they can’t go to some trade schools, they can’t even go to some community colleges with a certificate of achievement. It’s another hoop that they have to follow through, they have to go to the school district, the school district will send a letter, its probably a form letter, to all of these organizations explaining to them why they got a certificate of achievement instead of a high school diploma.”
He stated that the hurdle had been created by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and that repealing it is as step towards education reform.
If HB 220 passes, the bill is supposed to save $2.7 million according to Higgins’ office.
It includes a request for outreach by the Alaska Department of Education in order to notify former students who were qualified but did not receive a diploma because of failing a portion or all of the exit exam.
HB 220 now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.
