The class of 2011 will be the first to receive their diplomas after a new set of state-wide academic standards is enacted, including a final proficiency examination to be passed in each of four key subjects, according to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (ISD).

The Michigan Merit Curriculum, a proficiency test required for graduation, will examine students' understanding of mathematics, English, science, and social studies.

Students will be required to pass an exit examination in each of the four subject areas before moving on to college, according to Susan Bennett, a mathematics teacher at Mackinac Island Public Schools. Students can take the proficiency exams as they complete each course, even before their senior year.

The state is working on developing a standardized set of exit exams that will developed in the next four years and will be made available for schools. The first class the exam will apply to is today's freshmen, the class of 2011.

Individual schools are allowed to set what they deem to be a passing score for the exams, Mrs. Bennett said, but the ISD has recommended setting the passing score at 70% for all area schools.

Mackinac Island has set its minimum passing score at 60%, Mrs. Bennett said, but she worries that students' college plans might be disrupted if they cannot pass all of the exams.

"It's a contestable point," Mrs. Bennett said. "Personally, I feel that it is highly unfair for students to not do well in one area and not be able to go to college."

It's important for students to pass these exams if they're going to compete with peers for jobs, ISD Superintendent Peter Everson.

"We need greater numbers of high-achieving students, especially if we're going to improve the economy," Mr. Everson said. "If students are going out in the workforce with students from other places, we want them to have similar skills and to have passed similar requirements. The exam puts everyone on the same page."

Since this is the first year the test will be given, local school officials said they are having trouble setting a minimum passing score. Mike Springsteen, superintendent of St. Ignace Area Schools, said his district has set a 60% passing rate "unofficially," but the item hasn't come up on the school board's agenda yet.

Stu Hobbs, superintendent of Engadine Consolidated Schools, said he has set the bar at 65% for this year, and 70% for the following year.

"It was a challenging decision," Mr. Hobbs said. "But since this is the first year they'll be tested in this content, we wanted to see where they stand before we raise passing percent to the state standard."

Angie Reed, principal of DeTour High School, also said she would be setting the score lower, at 50%, since this is the first year for the test.

Les Cheneaux Community Schools and Pickford High School officials both said they are waiting to make a final decision about what a minimum score should be. Both said their school board would vote on it in the near future, and they would most likely follow the state's recommended 60 to 70%.

According to Mr. Everson, only 25% of students in the Easter Upper Peninsula complete a four-year bachelor's degree.

The exit exams differ from comprehensive tests like the Michigan Merit Exam and the American College Test (ACT) because they test basic knowledge and expectations for a high school degree, Mrs. Bennett said.

The ACT asks for higher academic knowledge, which is good for preparing for college, she said, but doesn't adequately address a student's needs for the remainder of high school.

Mr. Everson agreed, and added that the curriculum tests will be given through a student's high school career, instead of at a midpoint, like the ACT.

"We give the ACT about twothirds of the way through junior year, and students don't take higherlevel courses until after the exam," he said. "There's no statewide test that would measure how they do after they graduate."

Students will be able to improve on the exit exams if they do not pass, Mrs. Bennett said, because they will find out what areas need improvement.

"The good thing is they can retake the exams up until they are seniors," Mrs. Bennett said. "Therefore, although they can't see the questions until they actually take the test, they will be able to find out what area they need to improve on so they can study that area more before retaking the test."

The exams are a good indicator of a teacher's skills, as well as the student's, Mr. Everson noted. Students will get direct intervention if they are struggling in any particular area, he said.

"We're able to look at how teaching impacts students," he said. "If there's a problem with an individual student, they can't just be 'promoted' to the next class. They have to prove that they're competent."

Students must complete four credits each of mathematics and English, and three credits each of social studies and science, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Individual districts can decide what constitutes a credit, and how electives and other classes play into the curriculum.

"It might be a little less flexible for the teachers and school districts, but in the end, it's about accountability. Now that we know what the expectations are, we can start meeting them," Mr. Everson said.

The Department of Education also added a two-credit foreign language requirement, starting with the class of 2016.