SRN LEADS/Stanford University: School Redesign Network — Leadership, Equity & Accountability in Districts & Schools

Multiple Measures Approaches to High School Graduation

This report examines how the design of high school graduation policies can have important consequences for teaching, learning, and student attainment. Multiple Measures Approaches to High School Graduation documents research findings on states that have required exit examinations as the primary basis for graduation from high school. The report also examines a range of approaches to high school graduation that include tests as one element in a broader array of indicators about student proficiency. These "multiple measures" approaches to graduation, used in at least 27 states, differ from single-test approaches in that they consider a variety of student work, which may include student academic records, research papers, portfolios, essays, capstone projects and oral exams. The report provides an in-depth examination of the assessment systems in the 27 states that use multiple measures approaches. It also discusses testing for English language learners and students with disabilities, and makes recommendations based on the body of evidence about test uses and effects. (April 2004) To see the report and related materials, use the links below.

Multiple Measures Report PDF

Research Brief PDF

Executive Summary PDF | HTML

Press Release PDF | HTML

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