Junior Cesar Marroquin works on remediation for the EOC biology exam. Fifty-two of 61 students failed to score proficient or advanced on the test.

BIANCA GARCIA – Hoof Prints Staff

Who’s to blame? The teacher, the student or the test itself?

Cesar Marroquin was one of the top students in his biology class. He took notes, paid attention and studied for his tests. He always strived to get an A.

“I literally stress over my grades,” Cesar said. “I want to make something of myself. Me and my sister Karla are going to be the first people in our family to go to college.”

With characteristics like that, one would think he would have passed the end of course biology exam. But he didn’t.

The question is why? If he did so well in biology why didn’t he pass his EOC biology exam? Was it Mr. Dunigan’s fault? In Cesar’s opinion, he thought Mr. Dunigan went by his frameworks and taught the class to his best ability.

“The test changes throughout the years, so Mr. D doesn’t know what was on the test,” Cesar said.

So whose fault was it?

“I would blame the people who made the test. They can at least give us a study guide or practice test,” Cesar said.

As a consequence of not making proficient or advanced, students have to take remediation. Remediation consists of worksheets on the computer that cover the subject that a student did not pass on an EOC exam. The students are given all year to finish it.

“Even though I gave 100 percent on the exam, I wasn’t surprised that I was going to be taking remediation,” Cesar said. “I don’t know what to expect. But I’m going to take it seriously because Mr. Rose and Mrs. Dana are looking at how well we do not how fast we get done.”

Cesar was one of the 52 students out of 61 that did not make proficient or advanced on the end of course biology exam.