Murray School District wants to start addressing testing issues in the junior highs to "make sure students have every opportunity to be able to understand what's going to be on the test and learn those standards," Hirase said. The district also plans a meeting for sophomores' parents "to make a greater effort in explaining . . . how critical it is for their students to take this test seriously."

As for seniors, Murray is offering test help during the day and in a crash course. Jordan District requires language arts and math help during the day for students failing the exam.

Granite has given computer passwords for math help to 365 seniors who have failed that test four times in a row, said Darryl Thomas, director of research, assessment and evaluation.

Sevier District, the only one with data reported so far under the grant, has 69.6 percent pass rates in reading, 85.4 percent in writing, and 75.8 percent in math among students getting extra help offered there, reported Hirase, who is in charge of gathering the information.

But some are concerned. Hirase says only 30 students, including juniors and seniors, are taking advantage of skills test math help Murray offers.

Others fear seniors won't have enough time to learn the skills they lack in time to take the tests again Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

"We've just got those three weeks, and that's very troubling," said Chris Wahlquist, Davis director of research and assessment. "For all these seniors, we could have taken them into remediation before, but I am not sure how much they would have wanted to participate not knowing their results."

The Salt Lake County mother laments the lack of help available to her daughter until this year. Her family had been paying for private tutoring.

"I think if they want to have a test, they need to prepare the kids way before (their senior year)," the mother said.

"She has been depressed this whole fall, and it's her senior year. I've just kind of seen her attitude has gone down, her grades have gone down, and it just makes the kids feel like a failure and that they're left behind. I don't think it's a good thing."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com; terickson@desnews.com