Buford Durr Jr. covers general assignments for The Index-Journal. Contact him at 223-1811, ext. That's when the Basic Skills Assessment Program, which tests minimal skills, is replaced by a more rigorous test. The scores released last week reflect a near three-point increase among sophomores taking the test for the first time. That's about 67 percent of the state's sophomores who passed the exam, up from 64 percent who passed last year.
Students have to pass all three parts of the exam in order to graduate.
The exam tests basic skills in reading, math and writing. Overall, the district improved in math and writing scores, but fell by seven points in reading. He said the district takes a hard look at the scores and tries to come up with ways at individual high schools to improve the scores. Academically, the PACT will be more rigorous, McCormick Superintendent Charles Parnell said. Parnell said the scores in McCormick are the second-highest scores recorded since the exit exam began in 1986.