APS Juniors and Now Sophomores to take Graduation Exam in March

Beginning with the class of 2013, students will need to pass the state Standards Based Assessment to earn a New Mexico high school diploma

February 7, 2012

During the week of March 26, juniors--and for the first time, sophomores--will be required to take the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment. Students must pass the math, reading and science sections of the test by the end of their senior year in order to earn a high school diploma. 

The New Mexico Public Education Department now requires that all students in New Mexico who have been in high school for two or three years take the SBA. That includes students who may not be classified as sophomores or juniors, but who started high school in 2009 or 2010. 

All sophomores and juniors will be required to take the reading and math sections of the SBA this spring, and juniors also will be tested in science.   

If a student doesn’t pass all sections of the test, there are options for retaking failed sections next year for juniors and both next year and during the senior year for sophomores.

Any student who does not pass all required sections of the test by their senior year may opt to obtain a high school certificate of completion. Once students earn a certificate of completion, they may return to their high school for up to five years to retake failed sections of the test in an attempt to earn a diploma.

The state Public Education Department is developing another option for students who don’t pass the required tests by the fall of their last year in high school.  As soon as that option is available we will provide more information.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, March 27

Sophomores and juniors take the reading sections of the SBA.  

Wednesday, March 28

Sophomores and juniors take the math sections of the SBA.  

Thursday, March 29

Juniors take the science section of the SBA. No more testing for sophomores.  

Thursday afternoon and Friday, March 30

Student-led conferences held for all high school students.  

Freshmen and seniors won’t attend school Tuesday through Friday except during their student-led conferences. However, they will be assigned projects and homework that will be due when they return to school.

Monday, April 2

Classes for all APS high school students resume.