PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist sent a letter to "friends of education" explaining her support for the new graduation requirements.
She explained the role that the state test, the New England Common Assessment Program, plays in earning a diploma. Starting with this year's juniors, high school graduates must score partially proficient on the NECAP to graduate.
Students have more than one opportunity to take the test. and schools must provide additional support to help struggling students reach that bar.
The state Department of Education released the latest NECAP scores last week and parents have received or will be receiving letters from their schools describing whether their child is at risk of not graduating.