Dear District 18 Residents:

As you may know, in 1997 I wrote the legislation that instituted the high school exit exam. Since 1997, parents and educators from around the state have painstakingly developed the standards they think Alaska's high school seniors should know when they graduate. Students have begun preparing for it. Many have already passed at least part of it.

However, Governor Knowles last weekend called for a delay in the effective date of the high school exit exam. He said that the standards "simply could not be met" for at least four more years.

These are my thoughts on why I wrote the exit exam legislation and why I think the current timeline is fair to Alaska's students and education professionals.

Alaskan students should not receive a diploma if they do not know basic reading, writing and math. A high school diploma should mean real achievement, and the exit exams clearly define and objectively measure the level of achievement expected. They also measure the effectiveness of schools so districts can make meaningful improvements in schools that need it.

Will students have time to learn those basics before 2002? Last year's 10th graders took their first exit exams in the Spring of 2000. Of course, many haven't learned all we expect them to learn by the time they graduate. For example, much of the math portion of the exam is on geometry, but most 10th graders haven't taken it yet. That's no reason to put the exit exam on hold. That's a reason to teach geometry. They will have four more chances to pass the exam before 2002. Those who do not pass by then will have two more chances after graduation to pass to earn their diploma.

Will more money help students pass? The Legislature spends more educating our children than any other single area of expenditure except the PFD -- $720 million per year. Moreover, the Legislature gave an extra $6.2 million to the Department of Education to develop remediation programs just to prepare students for the exam. That doesn't count the money local governments spend on schools through local taxes. A recent Fordham Foundation study indicates that school choice and high standards, not more money, show the most promise in raising test scores. Another resource for me has been the Education Commission of the States, whose mission is to help state leaders identify, develop and implement public policy for education that addresses current and future needs of a learning society. Their website address is www.ecs.org , and I encourage you to explore it for the latest research on exit exams, standards, and accountability.

The exit exam is not the total answer to improving education in Alaska. That's why I also wrote the teacher competency legislation the same year as the exit exam. All teachers hired after July 1998 have to pass a competency test to earn a license to teach in Alaska. The state must provide the leadership to higher standards and provide reasonable support to achieve them. Issues like additional teacher pay, teacher recruitment incentives, and professional development, while obviously important, are local issues that must be decided at the local level.

Further delays in full implementation of the exit exam will only compound a problem that has already gone on too long. The exit exam isn't the only step we need to take to improve education. However, it is a necessary step in the right direction. Who would benefit from the delay in the full implementation of the exit exams? As civil rights leaders said, "If not now, when? If not us, who?"

I encourage you to inform yourselves about this important topic. If you have any questions about the exit exams, please contact me.

Department of Education Commissioner Rick Cross will be taking comments from Alaskans about the exit exams. If you believe that our students need high, measurable standards and should be held accountable for achieving those standards, please call him and let him know. His telephone number is 907-465-2802. You can also reach him by e-mail at rick_cross@eed.state.ak.us.

Sincerely,
Con

PRIVACY POLICY: All addresses are "blind" for your privacy. A strict "no spam" policy is observed. If you don't wish to receive "Legislative Update", just let me know. If you know a friend or neighbor in District 18 who has not received "Legislative Update" but would like to be included, I will be glad to include them if they contact me. Your replies, comments, questions, and/or suggestions are welcome. Constituent comments on legislation and policy issues may be tabulated, shared with other legislators, or quoted in speeches. Names, however, will be kept private.

| Top | Representative Bunde's Page |