MAT-SU -- In an effort to improve education, more states have started implementing mandatory high school exit exams, which students must first pass before receiving a diploma.

The class of 2002 was the first group of Alaskan students that had to pass a statewide high school exam. Currently 52 percent of all public school students, nationwide, take similar tests. Passing the exams, however, and receiving diplomas, do not necessarily mean students are prepared for the rigor of college academics.

A recent study by the Manhattan Instate for Policy Research found that only 32 percent of students who graduate from high school are prepared for college. These numbers are reflected at Mat-Su College, where 19 percent of the student body -- nearly one in five students -- has to take remedial classes in reading, writing or mathematics before taking standard-level college courses. Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, was the primary sponsor of the original 1997 bill requiring Alaskan students to pass high school exit exams. In a phone interview Wednesday, Bunde said the bill was partly inspired after hearing numerous concerns from the University of Alaska and local businesses that high school graduates were not proficient in basic reading, writing and mathematics.

"Businesses were having to fire kids or train them because they couldn't read training manuals or keep basic records," Bunde said. "I also had feedback from the university community that high school graduates weren't able to do minimal level work and some students were taking a year of just remediation."

The original bill Bunde supported was more stringent than its current version, requiring a higher level of math competency and testing in both science and social science.

Bunde said certain communities and legislators thought the testing requirements were too stringent and in 2001 the test was revised. There are no science or social studies sections in the current High School Graduation Qualifying Exam and the reading, writing and math sections test only minimum proficiency.

"The legislative process is always a compromise," Bunde said. "There were a good number of people who didn't want to see a high failure rate and didn't think the test level was appropriate. The math was changed by citizens and expert groups to determine minimum standards. I had in mind a higher minimum criteria."

According to a report this fall by the Center on Education Policy, many high school qualifying exams are not even intended to measure a student's college readiness. This often contradicts the public's understanding of what qualifying exams are intended to demonstrate.

"The thrust of this bill is functional literacy, employable and the ability to go to a junior college," Bunde said. "Many high school kids say they have passed the test and they are OK now, but this is only a base level of functional literacy."

A recent national study by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, found that only 32 percent of high school graduates are prepared for college.

Mat-Su College President Paul Dauphinais said the college currently offers 13 remedial class periods, which make up more than 5 percent of overall class periods.

"The remedial classes are full now," he said. "I don't think they were full when I first got here two years ago."

While it's difficult to determine the exact reason why many high school students lack the skills and knowledge for college academics, the report by the Institute on Education Policy reported that exit exams may be spurring teachers to narrow curriculum, emphasizing content that is likely to be on the test, rather than teaching the fuller range of knowledge and skills.

Dauphinais cited other reasons, too, why some Mat-Su College students are unprepared for standard college classes. Overall student numbers are up, he said, which partially contributes to a greater number of remedial students.

Another factor at Mat-Su College may be the fact that there are no academic requirements for enrollment.

"We do assessment tests to make sure students are placed in the appropriate classes," Dauphinais said, "but there are no other requirements."

After teaching for 26 years, Bunde said he is hopeful that the state high school exam will increasingly reflect higher academic standards in the future.

"Just because the exam has been reduced, doesn't mean that it won't be increased in the future," Bunde said. "I'd like all our children to be above average."

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.