Phasing out of Alabama High School Graduation Exam

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Taken from Memo by Dr. Bice, State Superintendent:

On September 10, 2009, the State Board of Education voted unanimously on a resolution that included phasing out the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE) and replacing it with end-of-course tests.   Systems were notified that the 2011-12 first-time ninth graders would be the last cohort required to pass the AHSGE in order to receive a diploma.

As was presented to the State Board of Education at Tuesday's meeting, the dates for phasing out the AHSGE and beginning end-of-course assessments have been modified.   As a result, first-time ninth graders of 2011-12 (tenth grade class of 2012-13) will NOT be required to take or pass the AHSGE as a diploma requirement.  First-time ninth graders of 2010-11 (eleventh grade class of 2012-13) will now be the last cohort required to pass the AHSGE as a diploma requirement.

End-of-course tests will be administered for the first time in 2012-13 and will include English 9, English 10, Algebra I, geometry, and biology.  Any student enrolled in courses for which an end­ of-course  assessment  is  scheduled  will  take  these  end-of-course  tests  even  if  they  have previously taken the AHSGE.  Results for this first year of end-of-course tests will be utilized for instructional purposes and for establishing baseline data only.  There will be no high-stakes consequences  for students or for schools based on the end-of-course tests administered in 2012-13.