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UW defers graduation test decision

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The UW System Board of Regents deferred a plan to require all students entering the UW System to take a high school graduation test for admittance.

Citing time restrictions and falling behind schedule, the regents decided not to enforce the graduation test during its scheduled September 2003 debut.

For now, the board’s decision makes it easier for students to avoid the test, which critics have claimed is biased against students with learning disabilities, returning adult students and schools that develop their own tests.

Currently, students can opt out of the graduation test. However, by requiring students to take the test before entering the UW System, some parents and school officials have claimed the test would be virtually unavoidable.

UW System spokesman Kevin Boatright said the board set no new date for deciding on the issue.

The testing requirement has also sparked complaints from officials such as State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster, who called it “irresponsible” because it is based on federal funds that have not yet been locked into place. The state budget currently provides only $5 million over the next two years, despite a request of $14 million that the state Department of Public Instruction and Gov. Scott McCallum requested. McCallum contends the money will come on the back of an education aid bill that is currently tied up in Congress. Boatright said because of these shortfalls and other missed deadlines, “the board felt that it was just inappropriate at this time to require it for admission.”