Almost 3,000 N.J. students are not allowed to graduate after failing alternate exit exam
Published: Wednesday, July 07, 2010, 8:50 AM Updated: Wednesday, July 07, 2010, 8:58 AM
What Martinez does not have, however, is a diploma.
Though she was allowed to participate in the ceremony, Martinez is one of about 2,900 New Jersey high school seniors who did not graduate last month because they did not pass the state’s alternate high school exit exam, known as the Alternate High School Assessment.
The state Department of Education changed the exam this year and what was once a test nearly everyone passed became a high hurdle to graduation for many. Students in about 65 districts were affected, including Paterson, Jersey City, New Brunswick, East Orange, Newark and Union City, according to the education department.
The changes sent high schools scrambling to help high school seniors find other ways to prove they are worthy of a diploma, and it touched off renewed debate about high-stakes tests.
"It’s so complicated. I passed all of my classes. I want to graduate," said Martinez, 18. "I would like to go on."
The Department of Education retooled the alternate exit exam this year, changing how it is given
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