End-of-school testing is quickly approaching for the high school. May will be filled with End-of-Course, Gateway, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The testing schedule for Gateway tests follows: Tuesday, May 1, - Math Gateway (Algebra 1); Wednesday, May 2, - Language Arts (English 10); Thursday, May 3, - Science (Biology). Also during this week state end-of-course tests will be given for Foundations 2 Mathematics, Physical Science, and American History. AP exams will be given Wednesday, May 9, for Calculus and Thursday, May 10, for English Literature.

The Gateway tests are standardized tests that measure skills covered in Algebra 1, Biology, and English 10. The Gateway tests are part of the graduation requirement for students. The scores also count one-sixth of the final grade in the classes. Students who do not meet the passing standard have the opportunity to continue taking the test through their senior year.

Students who are in Algebra 1, English 10, and Biology have been working on the skills covered on the tests during their classes this semester. Students who are not in these classes and must take the tests have the opportunity to attend sessions for review.

To receive help with the Math Gateway, students may attend sessions with Ms. Jennifer McCann in Room 21 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings from 6:50-7:50 a.m. and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Biology review will be conducted by Mrs. Amy Clemons in Room 18 from 7:00 -7:50 a.m. and 3:00-4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week through April 26. If a student misses one of the review topics, he/she can pick up a review packet from Mrs. Clemons. Students may receive help on the Gateway Language Arts (English 10) in the library every morning Monday through Friday from 7:00 - 7:50 a.m. and Monday through Thursday afternoons from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Performance Indicators, which contain the skills that are tested in the subject areas, can be found by going to www.state.tn.us/education/circicur.assessedstandards,htm, and practice tests are available at www.state.tn.us/education/tsscwebsamf02tng.pdf. All students who are enrolled in English 10, Algebra 1, and biology are given a practice test in their classes.

Students taking Foundations 2 Mathematics, Physical Science, and American History are required to take a standardized state-mandated End-of-Course exam. This exam counts one-sixth of their grade. Only students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes will be involved in the AP testing. All students enrolled in Gateway, End-of-Course, and AP classes need to be present on the testing dates.

Another date to mark on your calendar is May 11. The Senior Awards Program will be held that day beginning at 10:00 a.m. All seniors are urged to be present, and parents are welcome to come to see seniors recognized for their scholarships and awards.

Bethel College has announced a New Honors Program. To qualify for the Honors Program, incoming freshmen should have a minimum English and Reading ACT scores of 24 and a 3.25 high school grade-point average. Every student admitted to the program will be offered up to $7,500 in scholarship money.