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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2015
High School Seniors Provided Additional Option for Graduation
JACKSON, Miss. This school year, high school seniors will have one additional option to meet
graduation requirements if they dont pass one or more exams in the Subject Area Test Program
(SATP) and dont meet previously approved alternative options.
The State Board of Education today approved a new policy that allows students who are seniors
in the 2014-2015 school year to use their end-of-course SATP score with their overall course
grade to apply for graduation. Students will qualify for this option if their course grade and test
score, when evaluated together, demonstrate adequate mastery of course content.
This policy will continue for seniors who are enrolled in the 2015-2016 school year. Also in 20152016, all students enrolled may achieve a combined minimum score from the end-of-course
Subject Area Tests to meet the requirement for graduation in lieu of passing the applicable endof-course Subject Area Test.
Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, SATP scores will constitute 25 percent of a
students final grade.
SATP tests are administered to students who have completed Algebra I, Biology I,
English II, and U.S. History. Under the new policy, SATP test results will continue to be
included in the state accountability model.
This option gives students another way to demonstrate that they have mastered their
coursework without making the requirements for graduation contingent upon the
outcome of any one particular test, said Dr. John R. Kelly, Board chairman. This policy
Central High School Building 359 North West Street P.O. Box 771
0771
Jackson, MS 39205-
also preserves the ability of districts and schools to continue using SATP end-of-course
test results to measure how well students are learning.
The new policy still requires that students enrolled in Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S.
History participate in the applicable SATP test in order to earn the Carnegie Unit for the course.
Students who fail an SATP test will still be offered opportunities to retake the test.
Jackson, MS 39205-
How will a failing score on an SATP test be used with a course grade to
determine whether a high school senior qualifies to graduate?
A concordance table will be used to calculate the SATP test score with the course grade.
The MDE will provide school leaders with the tools to make these calculations for each
of the four SATP tests.
What if a students course grade and test score arent high enough to qualify
the student for graduation?
The student may pursue one of the other previously approved alternative graduation
options outlined in State Board Policy 3804 (www.mde.k12.ms.us/3804) or retake the
SATP test.
Central High School Building 359 North West Street P.O. Box 771
0771
Jackson, MS 39205-
Can students retake Algebra I, Biology I, English II, or U.S. History if they
have previously passed the course to attempt to get a higher grade?
No. Students may not retake courses that they have already passed and for which they
have earned credit.
How can high school seniors find out if they qualify for the new SATP
graduation option?
Students should meet with their school counselors to determine whether they meet
graduation requirements.
How will the SATP policy affect students who are seniors in 2015-2016?
This policy will continue for seniors who are enrolled in the 2015-2016 school year. All students
enrolled in SATP courses in 2015-2016 will also be offered the option to achieve a combined
minimum score on all four of their SATP tests to qualify for graduation in lieu of passing the
applicable end-of-course Subject Area Test.
Jackson, MS 39205-