High school tests

Hi, I'm wondering what test a Dominican must take to finsh high school. Is there a test like the G.E.D there? Please let me know!

Thank you,
K.G.

That's exactly what I'm interesting in finding out. I hope Doc ECH and Joachim will answer this question. Thanks -Mame-

They do not have the equivalent to the US GED.....however, through out the educational process they (the students) must take standardized examinations to pass on to the higher level. These were given in the fourth grade (but no more at this level) again eighth grade, first year high school and final year of high school. I understand that you receive a diploma for the eighth grade and again for completion of high school. I have also been told that the GOVERNMENT issues the diplomas based on the completion and passing of the standardized exams (this is to prevent "buying" a diploma. I also understand that it is required to have BOTH diplomas to enter the University. Hope this answers the question.

Thanks for that - it's a stepping stone in finding out about the education system. -Mame-

I have a buddy that is now entering his final year of high school at a private school in Santo Domingo. He is #1 in his class and is also class president. Yet through some clerical screw-up (says he), they have him down as never having completed 8th grade. By rules, he never should have been allowed to enter 9th, 10th, or 11th, but he managed to do it. Even after he finishes 12th grade and regardless of his grades, they won't let him enter the University without proof of completing 8th grade. He just took the test for 8th grade and failed. He is taking it again.

I have found out this is true. And, in fact, some "pay" their way into high school. But they can never enter the University.
They try to provide a failsafe mechanism to prevent the scam of fraudlent documentation for education.

Jim, I'm curious. What is your buddy's explanation for being the top of his class, yet failing an achievement test for an earlier grade level?
Regards,
Keith

He says the test is being made purposely hard or the grading is purposely hard because the govt. doesn't want people to graduate, as they need a large pool of unskilled labor to workers in the zona franca. One does not get their tests back to see where they did well or did poor. All they are told is pass or fail, and he says out of about 100 people, only 5 passed.

I for one don't buy the conspiracy theory.

My theory is that the test material, or much of it, is not a junior version of the material taught in 9-11, but instead is made of up entirely different subjects that were only taught in 8th grade. This would be like getting a degree in Chemical Engineering would not help me pass the final exams for 10th grade "Earth Science", "Biology", "English Literature", "Law", "American History", or "Urban Studies".

My own experience with the education in the DR (and elsewhere), from browsing various coursework, tests, homework, etc., is that there is too much emphasis on spitting out terms, names, dates, etc. and very little emphasis on actually understanding the material.

For example, it is more important to know that a concept represents "Newton's First Law of Motion" than to understand the actual concept. I could personally explain in great detail the various concepts of various laws of motion because I understand them, but if I had to match up the laws with their various names and the person responsible for discovering them, I'd surely fail.

I can write using fairly good grammar but I'd never be able to give you the specific names for the components of grammar, for the various tenses of a conjugated verb (pluperfect, imperfect, ...), or be able to repeat specific grammar rules and give their rule names.

For this reason, if you didn't study the material recently (as an 8th grader would have), you may understand the concepts, stories, history, etc. but would have some trouble coming up with the specific concept names, dates, or other more specific details.

I think the bottom line is that it is much easier to pass by taking the course and using test and homework grades throughout the year than it us to take a 3 day test several years after the material was taught.

Jim,

I don't buy the conspiracy theory either. I think your theory makes far more sense.
Thanks,
Keith

Jim, thanks for that explanation - I understand what you're saying - but it sure breaks my heart! -Mame-