1. Alabama High School Graduation Exam Presentation for the P.T.S.A. of Lanier High School

2. History of Alabama Graduation Program  1977- State Bd. Of Education sent a resolution to the State Superintendent of Ed. (a committee was developed to set minimum competencies for high school graduation).1 st edition was the BCT.  2 nd edition, “Exit Exam” measured basic skills on 8 th grade level  3 rd edition became known as the “Alabama High School Graduation Exam” (97-98) Student must pass all sections of the AHSGE and complete the required Carnegie units of credit as established by the Alabama State Board of Education

3. What is the General Content of the AHSGE? LanguageGrammar Skills, Correct Grammar Usage, and Organizing Information for Writing ReadingReading articles, poems, editorials, and essays then answering questions Math75% will be based on Algebra I/ 25% will be based on pre-geometry Science70% will be based on biology/ 30% will be based on physical science Soc. St.Focus on U.S. History

4. What subjects are tested?  2001 graduates needed to pass Reading and Language sections only  2002 graduates need to pass Reading, Language, Math, and Science  2003 graduates will need to pass Reading, Language, Math, Science, and Social Studies

5. When can students take the exam? Sophomores Spring of the sophomore year Juniors Spring of the junior year Seniors 1. Summer between junior and senior year. 2. Fall session 3. Mid-year 4. Spring session 5. Summer after senior year

6. What are the passing scores?  READING- 563  LANGUAGE- 560  MATHEMATICS- 477  SCIENCE- 491

7. When are the Testing Dates? Spring of 2002: March 11-15 Summer of 2002: July 22-26 Fall of 2002: September 23-27 Mid-year of 2002-2003: December 2-6 Spring of 2003: March 10-14

8. What are some of the ways you can help your child improve his/her test performance?  Be sure your child arrives to school on time, eats a good breakfast and is rested.  Help your child arrange to have time off from work the week of the test.  Remind your child to read through every question on the exam before responding.  Prepare your child for the fact the test is long and difficult.

9. Tips for parents  Explain that guessing can improve scores.  Positive Attitude Secures Success (PASS)

10. “If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” Jesse Jackson