Too many students are promoted from one grade to another, eventually graduating without the essential knowledge necessary to succeed in college or the workforce, said Rep. Ward. An exit examination would ensure a diploma means something. Since proposing a high school exit exam, Ward has heard from various people in support of the concept. The list includes a professor from the University of Connecticut who has taught over 16,000 college freshmen and admits that too many of them lack the necessary skills in English to excel at the college level. The current national average for college students enrolled in remedial courses reaches 30 percent.
Similar percentages apply to college freshmen in Connecticut.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for further consideration.