Graduation Test Pass Rates Surge

Georgia more than doubled the rate of high school students passing their second attempt at the state's science and social studies graduation tests this year. Data released from the state Department of Education on Monday shows that nearly 1,400 students passed the exam this year, or 68 percent of the students who took it. That's compared to the 27 percent who passed the social studies retest and the 29 percent who passed the science retest last year. A new program that gives students who failed the tests an extra two weeks of intensive study before they try again helped boost the rate. Georgia students must pass every section of the high school graduation test - English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies writing - to graduate.

(Associated Press)

High School Grad Test Scores Rise

The percentage of Georgia's 11th graders passing the state's high school graduation test is on the rise. According to numbers released by the state Department of Education on Wednesday, 91 percent of juniors passed the English language arts portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test. That's up from 90 percent last year. In math, the rate rose from 93 to 94 percent. Social studies is up from 86 to 87 percent, and science increased from 86 to 88 percent. All high school students have to pass the test to get a diploma in Georgia. Students who don't pass can retake the test as many times as they need.

(Associated Press)