The 2004-2005 school year includes further phasing out of the proficiency tests and phasing in of achievement tests. The Ohio Ninth-Grade Proficiency Tests are being phased out and replaced by the new Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) to ensure that students are armed with the knowledge they need in this global economy to be successful in the workforce and in higher education.

NOTE: Ninth-grade proficiency tests will continue to be administered to students who entered ninth grade prior to July 1, 2003." so that is the 11th and 12th graders who still need to pass this test to meet their gradutation requirements.The following achievement and proficiency tests, listed by grade, will be part of Ohio’s required state-wide testing:

• Grade 3 – reading and mathematics achievement tests
• Grade 4 – writing and reading achievement tests; mathematics, citizenship, and science proficiency tests
• Grade 5 – reading achievement test
• Grade 6 – proficiency tests in all five areas
• Grade 7 – mathematics achievement test
• Grade 8 – reading and mathematics achievement tests
• Grade 10 – OGT in reading, mathematics, writing, science, and social studies
• Grade 11 – 9th grade proficiency test for students yet to pass
• Grade 12 – 9th grade proficiency test for students yet to pass

In addition, diagnostic tests will be implemented during the 2004-2005 school year in the following grades:

• Grades 1-2 – reading, writing, and mathematics diagnostic tests
• Grade 3 – writing diagnostic test

Beginning with the class of 2001, the science proficiency test was added to local curriculum requirements as a prerequisite to graduation. Students graduating after September 15, 2006 will need to pass the new Ohio Graduation Tests and meet curriculum requirements in order to receive a diploma.

House Bill 493 (HB 493) allows students who are required to pass the Ninth-Grade Proficiency Tests to substitute a passing score on the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) to meet testing requirements for graduation. Students in the classes of 2005 and 2006 must pass the Ninth-Grade Proficiency Tests in all five areas, and meet curriculum requirements, to earn a diploma. Students who begin 10th grade after July 1, 2004 must pass the new OGT.

Merit’s language arts and math software programs correlate to the Ohio Academic Content Standards and can help students prepare for State assessments. The content and format of Merit’s programs can help students develop and strengthen their test-taking skills as well as their reading, writing and math skills.

Merit reading software has been proven -- through rigorous, scientifically based research -- to increase both student reading comprehension and standardized test scores. Merit research study findings reveal that education software is an effective tool to improve test scores and academic performance.



Published: May 2005