High school seniors face plenty of pressure in the months leading up to graduation. They're saying goodbye to friends while also preparing for their future. For decades, many of those students also had to deal with exit exams in the final days of high school, a practice that was controversial, to say the least.

But in recent years, states have begun moving away from these tests, leaving only six states with mandatory pre-graduation exams. If you live in one of those six states, it's important to know your rights and options. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team works hard to defend students against school-based disciplinary action. If you're facing issues with exit exams, contact us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.

States Abandoning Exit Exams

Recently, both New York and Massachusetts announced they were eliminating exit exams from high school graduation requirements, marking the end of an era. Only 10 years ago, 24 states had exit exams in place, and that number had dropped to 14 states by 2017.

However, a handful of states continue to require seniors to take exit exams to qualify to graduate. Those states are:

• Florida
• Ohio
• Louisiana
• New Jersey
• Texas
• Virginia

If you live in one of those six states, you'll still have to deal with the stress of passing a final big exam before you can graduate. But you do have rights, and it's important to know your options if you don't pass.

Exit Exam Challenges

Although exit exams were originally introduced as a way to hold school systems accountable, concerns have emerged that led to many states moving away from them. Some of those concerns are backed by studies, while others are merely voiced by critics. These criticisms stand out most:

• Exit exams harm vulnerable students: These tests disproportionately penalize those who are disadvantaged, including low-income, disabled, minority, and English as a second language students.
• Flawed gauge of academic ability: Critics of exit exams have long argued that one test doesn't paint an accurate picture of a student's academic abilities.
• Inaccurate predictor of success: High-stakes one-time exams don't accurately predict whether a student will do well in college or post-high school employment.

Steps to Take If You Fail Your Exit Exam

Students in the remaining six states face the challenge of continuing to take these exams despite the research. However, the overwhelming shift away from these tests can help those students respond if a school denies graduation over their test scores.

The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team recommends the following steps for students who fail a high school exit exam:

• Appeal: Many states have a process in place for appealing an exit exam. Check into the options for your state.
• Challenge unfair testing practices: In cases where questionable practices are in place, some students have successfully challenged the score.
• Look into potential discrimination: Laws are in place to protect certain students. If you're disabled, for instance, you may have been eligible for accommodations that weren't in place at the time of the test.

The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has experience helping students facing exit exam issues. If your graduation is in jeopardy because of high school exit exams, call us at 888-535-3686 or complete our confidential online form, and we'll be in touch.