Testify 2/16 on repeal of Exit Exam

NEA-Alaska supports SB 109 which would repeal the HSGQE (Exit Exam). The next hearing take place on Tuesday, February 16th at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Community and Regional Affairs committee.

Please plan to go to your Legislative Information Office or call 1-877-763-5073 and you can reach the committee.  Please use the call in number only if you cannot physically get to an LIO. 

Long time K-12 supporter and friend Sen. Bettye Davis (Anchorage) is the prime sponsor of SB 109 and she is asking that teachers, public school employees and leaders testify in support of SB 109. A bill link for SB 109 is below.  You can also go to www.legis.state.ak.us and click on the "Documents" link for relevant back up material.

There are numerous reasons why the exit exam should be eliminated.

Talking Points to Consider:

  • It causes confusion among students when they have completed the HSGQE successfully since some believe once passed there is no reason to continue a formal education.
  • It causes huge anxiety among some students that have difficulty in formal test settings.
  • It was always intended to be a minimum set of standard skills we wanted students to achieve. However, it is now seen as an annoying hurdle to those planning to further their education, and an accomplishment that, once achieved, means no further work is needed in high school and a GED is a shortcut to being done with school.
  • Regardless of how you look at it, it's not helping and in some cases is hurting our children.

To see the bill go to SB 109. If your browser does not support html links cut and paste the following URL Address http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=26&bill=sb+109