The Case Against Exit Exams
In 2014 states will launch more rigorous, college- and career-ready assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards. As they do so, “they should revisit the stakes on these tests for students and consider eliminating, or modifying, their exit exam policies,” writes Anne Hyslop, author of this New America Education Policy Brief. This policy brief examines how high school exit exams place two goals in conflict: motivating students to become college- and career-ready and giving them opportunities to access the world of college and career. Hyslop discusses how states have options beyond using exit exams to pursue the dual goals of higher standards and higher educational attainment without pitting them against one another.
The title of this report clearly states its primary purpose: to present a case against exit exams. However, the report covers many other purposes, including the incredible diversity – if not chaos – that currently exists in state exit exam policies as well as state assessment policies in general. It is a very interesting and informative paper that will appeal to just about anyone interested in state assessment policy and practice. The content is generally of high quality; however, some of the figures are a bit confusing, and the author digresses into topics somewhat divergent from exit tests. Nevertheless, it is a very worthwhile report. It should offer significant utility, although rapidly changing state policies will date it rather quickly. The content overall could awaken policymakers, practitioners, and the public to what has become arguably an even more complex assessment environment.