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ACT could replace AIMS
Comments 0 | Recommend 0New task force to determine graduation standard
Around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, a budget bill passed that could essentially phase out Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards for graduating high school students in Arizona.
The vote established a one-year-maximum contract for any state-wide high school achievement test as well as a seven-member task force to oversee the tests in Arizona as well as other state tests.
Opponents of the bill, including Rep. John Huppenthal, say that adopting the new contract could lead the way to new testing standards and goals that would force lawmakers to establish new graduation and scholarship requirements.
Huppenthal said it took 10 years to create the current standard Arizona has today regarding AIMS. He said that moving to a different standard, such as having the ACT, which is the likely replacement as a high school exit exam, would require a great deal of effort to create new standards. Which he says could take just as long.
"It would appear to me that we've taken the goal line away from the students seeking college scholarships," Huppenthal said. "(Proponents) think it will be easier to establish these new scores and goals. But it hasn't been that way in the past."
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne called the bill "incredibly idiotic," and said that to slip it in seemingly last minute was "exactly the wrong way to make legislation."
Horne believes that with the adoption of the more-expensive ACT as the college-preparatory exam, it could end up costing the state a great deal of money.
Huppenthal said the passing of House Bill 2211 left "a hundred unanswered questions." He noted that when the task force is established, they could possibly rule to abolish all state-wide high school graduation standards. This could pave the way for schools to adopt their own, separate requirements.
"We can turn this year-long debate into an opportunity to fix the problems of the current system and I intend to do exactly that," Huppenthal said.
Contact writer: (480) 898-7916 or troemhild@ahwatukee.com.
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