NEW YORK, June 10 (UPI) -- U.S. high school graduation exams largely test basic material taught in the 9th and 10th grades, a study showed Thursday.
The tests reportedly measure very basic material and skills, insufficient for success in university courses or in jobs paying salaries higher than the poverty level, currently about $18,000 for a family of four, the New York Times said.
The study, by Achieve Inc., a nonprofit organization created by state governors and business leaders, analyzed high school exit tests in mathematics and language arts from six states, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas, and writing tests from four of the states.
The exams have met with opposition, and some states have been forced to postpone plans to attach consequences to the results of the exams.
Testing experts generally warn against making important academic decisions on the basis of a single test.
