An examination of the relationship between minimum competency test performance and dropping out of high school

Many states now require students to demonstrate basic skills as a requisite for high school graduation, and this often means students must achieve passing scores on a minimum competency test (MCT). Educational researchers have speculated that increased academic standards for graduation, as manifested in MCTs, will have adverse effects on students, particularly at-risk, disadvantaged students. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between MCT performance and high school dropout behavior. The results indicated that failure on an MCT provided a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of leaving school, but only for students who were doing well academically. Students with poorer academic records did not appear to be affected by MCT failure; similarly, minority students did not demonstrate an increased likelihood of leaving school as a result of failing an MCT.