As it currently stands, the class of 2014 will have to put their faith and trust into a number 2 pencil in order to graduate. Of course, it’s a bit more than just a sharpened Ticonderoga that will yield a diploma – graduation will depend on the students’ ability to pass the NECAP standardized test.

But this may all change because of a new bill introduced by Rep. Eileen Naughton and Sen. Howard Metts.

The bill, if passed, would prevent graduation eligibility from being determined by a state assessment, and instead put more weight back on portfolio, grades and other factors.

Educators are backing this proposal, but Gist is standing firm to her proposed guidelines.

“I believe that state assessments are a valuable and appropriate element in our graduation requirements,” said Gist in a statement. “Therefore, I strongly oppose any legislation that would prohibit the use of assessments as one of the important components of our graduation requirements.”

But studies show that some students who do tremendously well after graduation sometimes do the worst on standardized tests.

Based on last year’s data, 90-percent of minority and special education students would be in danger of not graduating.

Are we really going to attempt to paint all of our students with such a broad brush? Or can we no longer take the time to assess classroom participation, assignments, grades and regular classroom assessments? The combination of these things are what makes a student successful, not their capability to memorize and regurgitate information while simultaneously coloring inside the lines of those little answer bubbles.

But this isn’t just about students. It’s about the education system as a whole. We cannot let teachers “teach a test.” There needs to be care and attention paid to students’ needs and learning styles. If so much weight is put on a single (though students will be allowed multiple attempts) assessment, then teachers will undoubtedly put more time and energy into making sure their students are prepared to do well on it, and in turn, graduate.

Making the NECAP an end-all-be-all is a bad idea. Combining it with other factors would be the smart way to make sure students and schools meet state requirements, while also ensuring that students who fail to do well on high-stakes tests, but otherwise excel, don’t slip through the cracks.

Naughton and Metts are onto something here, and they’re looking out for the future workforce of the state. Those who do not pass the exam are in danger of not graduating, or being labeled with “partial proficiency,” something that could affect higher education acceptance and later, employment.

It’s important for students to be able to learn that hard work pays off, and that knowledge of a broad range of topics is useful. The high-stakes NECAP does not teach these ideals.

Studying a test will do students no favors after high school. So let’s reexamine what we should really be preparing our students for: life; not timed, computer corrected examinations.