ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997 TAG: 9703260051
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
The tests will show whether students are learning revised curriculum standards adopted in 1995.
Virginia education officials have released sample questions of new state tests that, starting in four years, public school students will have to pass to graduate.
The tests are designed to show whether students are learning revised curriculum standards that were adopted in 1995. The tests will consist mostly of multiple-choice questions.
In a field trial the week of April 28, all Virginia public school students in grades 3, 5, 8 and 11 will take at least one of four subject tests. State officials said no scores will be reported and the trial is only to test the questions on the math, science, English and social studies tests.
However, the results of next year's tests will count. Passing the 11th-grade exam will become a graduation requirement for the Class of 2001.
Some educators have expressed concern that questions may be too difficult for grade-school students.
Under the new curriculum standards, the State Board of Education is emphasizing memorization of facts and has set high standards, even for lower grades.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
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