Science GHSGT Are Up in Georgia-But Can We Do More

As a high school science teacher, I am excited that Georgia high school students, particular our blacks students, are scoring 2 points better this year than last year on the Georgia High School Graduation Test. The rising senior class in Georgia’s passing rate was 90%. In 2009, the passing rate was 88%. It is the first time that science scores have ever hit this mark in Georgia.

The data shows that the percentage of black students passing the science tests has increased from 41% in Georgia in 2003 to 79% in 2010 in Georgia. That difference in passing students is 20,000 students. This definitely shows that Georgia is making progress, particularly with African American students, which is great, except what we are doing to make sure that we are excelling standards in Georgia for all students. All the emphasis is on passing all four sections of the Georgia High School Graduation Test. All students must pass English, Social Studies, Math and Science to get a high school diploma. Why are we not putting more emphasis also on excelling on these standards?

When students do not pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test, they cannot enroll in college or technical school. They may take classes in a technical school.
In Georgia, we must do more to get students in Georgia to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests so they have a better future but we also must push students to excel on state and national standard tests so Georgia can compete nationally and globally in the 21st century.