Beginning with the class of 2010, the 2006-07 school year's freshmen, students in Massachusetts will have to pass a science and technology/engineering exam to graduate from high school.

Ninth-graders enrolled in biology, chemistry, introductory physics or technology/engineering will be eligible to take one of these four high-stakes tests this June.

Along with the English and math assessments, the new graduation requirement is another step toward meeting a 1993 state statute that requires students to pass ultimately five high school exit exams, the remainder of which are expected to be phased in over time.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, The Achiever, February 2007

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GUIDE OFFERED ON CHARTER HIGH SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Education recently published a new guide that focuses on eight charter high schools that are raising the achievement levels of traditionally underserved student populations.

The guide, "Charter High Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap," reveals how these schools are using innovative instructional approaches to close the gap between the highest-performing students and those lagging behind.

The schools profiled in the guide are diverse but share six characteristics. They are mission-driven, focus on college preparation, teach for mastery, provide support to students, value professional learning and hold themselves accountable.

For a free copy of the guide, call (877) 4ED-PUBS with identification number ED002720P or visit www.edpubs.org.