Nevada board loosens proficiency exam rules

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Students will get more chances to pass proficiency exams required for high school graduation, the Nevada Board of Education decided.

The board on Friday modified the terms of eligibility so students can take the exit exams as sophomores, juniors or seniors even if they have not earned all of the academic credits required for their grade level.

High school seniors are given as many as four chances to pass the proficiency tests, including one opportunity over the summer after their class commencement ceremony.

In the past, Nevada has defined a senior as a student who has earned at least 17 credits.

As a result, fourth-year students lacking in credits would miss chances to take state-required proficiency tests in English, math and science until they caught up academically.

"This was an unintended consequence" of the credit-based system, said Keith Rheault, state superintendent of public instruction. "I didn't think it was fair that just because of the timing, a student might be a half credit short (and could not take a test)."

The exams are first offered to students as sophomores, who get one shot at the tests. They get two more opportunities as juniors and as many as four chances as seniors.

Under the board's action Friday, a sophomore is now defined as a student who has completed at least five credits or two semesters of high school.

A junior is a student who has completed 11 credits or four semesters of high school. A senior is a student who has earned 17 credits or six semesters of high school.

Rheault said demand for the change came from the state's 17 school districts. It will be up to the local school boards to adopt the new regulation.