HSPE (High School Proficiency Exams) in Reading and Writing are taken by all grade 10 students in March. In addition, any student in grade 11 or 12 who has not yet met the Reading or Writing standards may participate in HSPE testing. Each year, a second HSPE-testing opportunity occurs in August. Refer to the above State Testing Calendar for specific dates.
EOC (End Of Course) exams in Math - in Algebra and in Geometry - are new state tests, as of June 2011. The math HSPE test has been discontinued. EOC math exams are offered twice a year - in January and in June. Whenever students complete the course, they will take the corresponding EOC exam; and passing scores will be "banked" for their high school graduation requirements. Graduation requirements in math vary, depending on the year:
- Class of 2012 - not required to pass an EOC (or HSPE) math test; but if not passed, must earn 2 math credits after 10th grade.
- Class of 2013 and 2014 - required to pass one EOC math test before graduation (or a state-approved Option).
- Class of 2015, forward - required to pass both EOC math tests before graduation (or state-approved Options).
EOC (End Of Course) Biology exam is another new state test, to be given for the first time in June 2012. The biology EOC exam replaces the previous science HSPE. Similar to the math EOC exams, the biology exam will be taken by students at the end of their biology course. This exam will also occur in June, with a second opportunity each year in January. Passing the biology EOC exam (or a state-approved Option) is a graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2015.