Waiving Bye Bye

School Administrator, May, 1997

Hundreds of parents across Michigan are allowing their high school-age children to opt out of the state's proficiency exam because of the way it labels students who fail to make the grade.

Students scoring above a designated point on the math, reading, science, and writing tests have a special seal stamped on their diplomas. Those falling short get a or "not-yet-novice" label affixed, which some parents liken to being branded a failure.

Gerald Keidel, Michigan Association of School Administrators director, sympathizes with the parents while directing scorn at an exam that "detracts from everything else the student has done." He says most superintendents aren't troubled by the wide use of the waiver provision, originally intended for students with disabilities.

In some districts, half of the eligible students have opted out.