Dear Neighbors,

There is important information that all Alaskans should know, especially as high school seniors are preparing to graduate. Some seniors have not yet passed all three parts of the “exit exam” but do have several options. If you know a high school student, whether a senior or not, please pass this information on.

First, all students can request that their exam be re-scored. In some cases, an error may have been made and if the student is within a few points of passing, he or she should be assured their score has been double-checked.

Second, all students can re-take the exam each time it is offered until they are able to pass. There is no limit to the number of times a graduate may re-take the exam. In addition, the Anchorage School District has invited all seniors who did not pass to enroll as 5th year seniors, get additional remediation, and re-take the exam. College students enroll as 5th year seniors all over the country when they have not completed their requirements; high school students should have the same opportunity.

Third, some students qualify for a waiver from the requirement to pass the exam under the following situations:

• Students who arrived in Alaska for the first time during their senior year,
• Students who suffered a sudden and serious illness or disability,
• Students whose parent died,
• Students who have passed another state's exit exam.

Specific guidelines and the various types of application forms for each type of waiver are available at http://eed.state.ak.us/forms/forms1.html#Assessment. Students should apply to their local school board for the appropriate waiver.

If the local school board denies a student's application for a waiver, the student may appeal to the State Board of Education. The appeal form is also available at the above website.

Finally, the University of Alaska has always accepted and continues to accept students who do not have a high school diploma, as do most community colleges in the Lower 48. While all students must take a placement exam, and some must enroll in remedial courses, all Alaskan high school students have the opportunity to attend college whether they graduate with a high school diploma or not.

Students who do not pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam by February of their senior year have options, and have bright futures. We all stumble occasionally, and some of us have to work a little harder than others. But we all have the ability to make our dreams come true.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

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