At least seven states have now been forced to back off from their original high-stakes testing requirements and deadlines, mostly due to unexpectedly high failure rates of students nearing graduation and to increasing opposition from teacher and parent groups. The latest round of states to retreat includes Arizona, Wyoming and California.
Similar movement looks certain in Alaska and Ohio.
In each case, the tests were reportedly designed to measure high-level standards rather than basic skills. Long a staunch supporter of high-stakes exams, Keegan nevertheless absolved the class of 2004 from the testing requirement and suspended use of the tests to determine graduation until corrections can be made. Other changes expected include making the math questions less difficult and lowering the passing standard for the writing portion of the test. Keegan maintains, however, that at some point the test will still be used as a high school exit exam. The Arizona legislature, however, has launched a review of the entire state testing program.