Testing isn’t always the best way to go to get a good education, even if that test is named Wise.
Personal Finance and Economics is a required class for graduation at WS and as part of the curriculum, the WISE test that allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of the Personal Finance and Economics.
“The team of EPF teachers at WS builds much of our curriculum on supporting learning skills and practices that can be used in the now and in the future in the real world but also support in successful completion of the WISE Exam,” said Personal Finance and AP Economics teacher Craig Brown.
There are many different ways to take a personal finance class. There is the Personal Finance and Economics course offered during the school day; for these students the test is required.
Another option is AP Economics where students take the AP Micro and AP Macro exam instead of the WISE test. Also available is an online Economics and Personal Finance class that is offered via FCPS Online Campus where most students complete the WISE test.
Then there is the self-directed Economics and Personal Finance class that is a pass/fail and self-paced. Despite some confusion, the WISE test is not required for all of the students who took this online course.
“The WISE Test is not required for students earning an Advanced Diploma, only those seeking a Standard Diploma. Students who previously took Self-Directed EPF and did not take the WISE exam other the summer were offered the opportunity,” said Brown.
All students who are on track for a standard diploma must pass a Career and Technical Education certification exam. The WISE test counts for this requirement, which is why students seeking a standard diploma must complete the WISE exam to graduate.
There was some confusion surrounding this. Over the summer students who took the self-directed class had the option to take the WISE test, but the choice seemed completely optional.
However, in early November, students received notice that they had to take the WISE test at the end of the month.
“The note that the school handed out made it seem like you needed to pass the exam in order to graduate,” said senior Nana Sulliva.
Nevertheless students had the option to opt out of the test if they were on track for an Advanced Diploma and did not wish to take the WISE test.
Despite this, some students working to get an Advanced Diploma still took the WISE test due to its advantages.
“I took it because I wanted to; my counselor said a lot of colleges like to see it and jobs like to see it on resumes,” said junior Easton Boynton.
Even if the WISE test is not required for your class of Personal Finance and Economics nor for the certain diploma you want, teachers do recommend students take it.
“Being ‘on-track’ for an advanced diploma is not a sure thing. Things can do wrong, potentially at the last minute,” said Technology Education teacher John Alukonis.