In the ongoing saga that is the High School Assessments, my story in today's paper takes a look at how Baltimore County is tackling the 1,000+ students in the Class of 2009 who have yet to meet the test requirements for graduation.

An interesting theme developed as I spoke with principals about the work their schools have been doing with these students.  Several mentioned that one of the obstacles in this process has involved simply getting students to buy into the fact that these tests really do matter - and could keep them from graduating.

Sometimes, Parkville High Principal Stephen Edgar told me, "it's not about ability or their lack of ability.  It's about whether they take the test seriously or not."

Barbara Cheswick, the principal at New Town High, said she was "thrilled" to hear the state board had voted down a proposal to delay the HSA graduation requirement - in part because, since the tests' introduction, students haven't always bought into the fact that they were "the real thing."

Getting parents involved and aware of these requirements - and where their kids stand - has been one way schools have tried to bring home the reality of the situation, Edgar said.  When parents are also working on HSA exercises with their children, he said, it sends a message about their importance, reinforcing what students have been hearing in school.

I'm curious what educators and parents in other school systems have encountered...and what role they think student buy-in has played with the HSAs up until now.  Do you think the state's vote to maintain the graduation requirement will nix student doubts and get them to take these exams seriously?