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Nearly 500 seniors in Prince George's County high schools still need to pass the High School Assessment exam or complete alternative projects to graduate this year, school officials announced May 27.
Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said 465 students must still meet the requirements to graduate, down from 2,754 in December.
Under state requirements, all students must pass four HSA exams — state-mandated tests in English, algebra, biology and government — or earn a composite score of 1,602 or complete alternative projects to graduate. This is the first year that the tests are required to receive diplomas.
Students who had not passed their exams have been working on academic projects, known as "bridge projects," to meet their requirements. Hite said those projects were challenging enough for students to prove they have learned the material.
"I think the bridge plan in some cases was tougher because of the number of modules that kids have to achieve," Hite said.
He said students can continue working on projects throughout the summer in summer school to get their high school diplomas. The HSAs are administered again in July and August.
E-mail Megan King at mking@gazette.net.