Utah Competency Testing
So I have been doing some research on competency testing. With my son academically advanced in math and beyond much of the Common Core stuff, I needed to see what options were out there. Others have wondered if they can bypass certain subjects they already have done and have them account for the “Utah” awarded diploma. Here is my understanding thus far: You can!
Granite School District testing center provides the materials also do the correcting of papers there. Here is the info.
Location
Granite Connection High School
501 E 3900 S, Room 136
Salt Lake City UT 84107
Administrator
Marie Orton
385-646-6042
Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.
They have just started giving the Secondary Math I, II, and III. The other subjects they test in are as follows:
Courses Offered
Mathematics
- Algebra I
- Geometry I & II
- General Financial Literacy
- Secondary Math I, II, and III
Physical Education
- Fitness for Life
Science
- Biology
- Earth Systems Science
Social Studies
- Geography for Life
- U.S. Government & Citizenship
- World Languages
What is not listed there is English 9, English 10, or English 11 required for the diploma but are forthcoming in the future. Other subjects that are coming soon will be Health and Language Arts grades 9, 10, and 11 will replacing the accustomed English 9, English 10, and English 11.
The best news was that there is no longer a fee! It used to cost $85 per test! So that was a nice surprise.
Students may be from outside the Granite district, but must be registered in a school. (The only reason you would do any of this anyway would be because you plan on utilizing the school system to acquire a diploma.)
They must submit a written request, or Student Application for Demonstrated Competency Testing to their school counselor for signatures (school counselor, school administrator, and parent/guardian). This must either be called in to the Testing Center or emailed by the counselor 15 days prior to the time the test is taken.
Each assessment may be taken only once per school year. In order to have it count for that school year, tests must be taken by April. Students will receive a “P” for demonstrated competency–no letter grades are awarded. They do count toward the diploma but not in the GPA.
Students are responsible for any knowledge they currently have as there are no study guides. When there are two parts to a test, they must wait after the first part to see if they have passed; if they have not, then they cannot take the second part. In addition to the application, a picture ID must be brought to the Testing Center 10 minutes prior to test time. Figure on two hours to complete the test. Test results are mailed to student and counselor.
For any other questions, please feel free to contact Marie per the above email or phone.
Possible State Scholarships
As of this writing, any person who tests out of any subject is not eligible for the state scholarships. We are hoping to change this in this next legislative session.
There are three known state awarded academic scholarships at this point:
- Centennial (early graduation) – $1000 one time
- New Century Scholarship (based upon associates degree) – $1100 per semester for the last two years of bachelor degree
- Regent Scholarship (GPA based and with extra classes) – $1100 per semester for two years
{ 2 comments… add one }
Kim, I’d love to be kept up to date about the future of testing out and still being eligible for the regents scholarship. What’s the best way to do that?
I love this, can I be kept up to date with this???
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