The Illinois State board of Education has cancelled the Consumer Education Proficiency exam due to funds. As of July 2010 the test is no longer offered at LZHS or any other high schools in Illinois.
The Consumer Education test, when offered, was a test that students could take to test out of taking the Consumer Education class during the school year.
“The reason for the test being cancelled is because the state of Illinois is so in debt, and we need to prioritize our spending and unfortunately the Consumer Education program is one of those programs that we consider to be non-essential,” Pamela Althoff, State Senator of the 32nd district, said. “It’s a good program and everyone likes it and wants it to be available but when you only have so much money, and you have numerous bills, those things are obviously of a priority nature and we need to pick and choose which ones are best.”
Althoff was a sponsor for the test every year; she said she loved the test and thought it was a success. According to Althoff, in three years the test might be brought back if Illinois has the money to pay for it.
“Hopefully if we get our physical house in order we will be able to bring those programs back and pay for them in the next few years,” Althoff said.
While some kids might be disappointed for not getting the opportunity to take the test, the teachers have a different view,
“My views on it being cancelled are I think it’s not that bad, I think kids should take the class because it’s a good hands on class and it will help them with a lot of things they do in the future,” Cindy Klebba, consumer education teacher, said.
Even though the test was cancelled there has been no influx in students in classes. Every student was signed up for the class at the beginning theaa year. If the student took the test and they passed it they would be excused from class. If they didn’t pass it they would take the class, and for the most part not that many people would be excused from the class anyway because the test was very challenging, according to Klebba.
In October of 08’ 41 students took the test and of the 40 students 13 passed and didn’t have to take the consumer class. The next test was offered January of 09’, 20 students took the test and seven passed. Finally in February of 10’ 56 students took they of the 50 only five kids passed.
According to Althoff, the test has been a success, and they are going to try everything they can to bring it back to the school.