Here at Beacon Academy of Nevada, a free state sponsored virtual online public charter school, we are about to begin High School Proficiency testing. The mood in the office is tense and the talk between students is one of nervousness. Testing is a required part of every student’s high school career. The State of Nevada requires all students to pass the Math, Science, Reading and Writing exams along with 22.5 credits in order to receive a standard high school diploma. So you can imagine the pressure that is placed on students to pass these exams.
Testing week with Beacon Academy has been divided into two days. Junior/Senior will test on Tuesday and Wednesday. The tests are divided between the two days with Math and Science being held on Tuesday starting at 10am and the Writing and Reading being held on Wednesday at 10am. The Reno and Las Vegas locations will have a makeup day on Thursday starting at 10am for students who were unable to get to their tests for the Math, Reading and Science. Unfortunately the Writing exam CANNOT be made up as the State of Nevada only allows it to be held on Wednesday. There will be no make-up day for students in Elko or Ely.
It is the hope of the staff at Beacon Academy of Nevada, Nevada’s online high school, that all of our students get a full nights rest and eat a good breakfast each day that they are testing. We would also like to remind students that the proficiency exams are un-timed which means that as long as a student is productively working they will be allowed to finish the exam. The important thing for students to remember is to take their time. If they finish early, go back and review their responses. With the writing exam they should write a rough draft and revise it looking for correct grammar, punctuation and spelling before they write it on their answer sheet. As long as a student does these key steps they should be set up to be successful with the tests.
Remember that even up to the age of 21 you can earn your regular high school diploma at Beacon Academy of Nevada, we are taking enrollments for the Spring 2012 semester. Why don’t you check us out? Here are some useful websites:
Read our Blog – Click HERE
Why Enroll at Beacon Academy – Click HERE
Frequently Asked Questions – Click HERE
Learn About High School From Home – Click HERE
Wonder Why You Should Enroll – Click HERE
Mrs. Amanda Cook
Academic Counselor & Testing Coordinator
Beacon Academy of Nevada
Nevada’s Online High School